Marx is right to note the problem of exploitation -- but his solution is worse than the problem.
For Marx the perennial exploitation of the working class culminates in the heaven on earth utopian realization of communism.
Except, in reality, Marx’s heaven never comes -- except, perhaps, it does for the corrupt politicians who aggrandize themselves through the bloodshed of the naive masses.
But as vile as Marx’s solution to the problem is, that doesn’t mean exploitation never happens in a capitalist economy.
It does.
Exploitation happens when workers can’t easily move from one job to the next. For when workers can’t easily leave their employer this empowers the rise of the tyrant boss -- those who feel empowered to demean their subordinates because they know they can’t easily escape to a new job.
Only can a greater cultural emphasis on labor mobility for everyone prevent tyrant bosses and demoralized workers.
For when workers can leave then they are free.
Free from feeling desperate subordination to a joyless workplace.
Free from the class based condescension that begins to emerge when the newly promoted go on a power trip.
Free from accepting de facto wage cuts when their salary isn’t at least increased to meet the rate of inflation.
When workers can leave so too will these behaviors and attitudes be left behind.
That’ll be the real revolution. There will be no utopia on earth, no permanent triumph of good over evil, nothing. There will just be free people ready and able to leave oppressive offices. Now that’ll be progress.
Zigmund Reichenbach holds a M.A. in Philosophy from West Chester University. You can find him stirring up conversation in his Talk Politics Facebook group or you can follow him on Twitter @zreichenbach1. If you too want to talk politics subscribe to our Talk Politics YouTube to be notified when our discussion goes live every Tuesday at 8:30PM.
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