Capital & Labour Power
- Two key concepts in this video are the means of production and labor. In your comment, explain how you understand the means of production and labor. Give an example of each.
The means of production refer to the physical resources and tools needed to produce goods, like factories, machines, or land. Labor refers to the human effort and work involved in creating products. For example, in a car manufacturing plant, the factory and assembly line machinery are the means of production, while the workers assembling the cars represent labor. - Another important concept in understanding social class is value. Based on the ideas presented in Video 5.1, what is value? What give “value” to value, what makes something valuable?
In the context of social class and economic production, value refers to the worth of a product or service, often determined by the labor put into its production. According to the ideas presented in Video 5.1, value is created through the combination of labor and the means of production. What gives “value” to something is largely the amount of labor required to produce it, as well as the utility or desirability of the product to others in society. For example, a handcrafted piece of furniture may be considered valuable because it took significant time, skill, and effort to make, and it serves a functional purpose. Additionally, scarcity or the demand for an item can increase its perceived value. Thus, value is shaped by both the labor involved and the social or economic demand for the product. - How are labor and value related? What’s the relationship/connection between the two?
Labor and value are closely related because labor is a key factor in creating the value of a product or service. In many economic theories, especially in Marxist thought, the value of a good is directly tied to the amount of labor required to produce it. The more labor-intensive or skillful the production process, the greater the value of the product.
The relationship between labor and value can be understood through the labor theory of value, which suggests that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor time invested in its production. In other words, products that take more effort, time, or expertise to produce are often seen as more valuable. However, value is also influenced by factors like demand, scarcity, and the market’s willingness to pay for a product, meaning that labor is one important component but not the sole determinant of value. - How do you understand the difference between labor and labor power? Hint: this is a key difference, give it your best shot based on what the video says about it, and your own ideas. We’ll clarify and develop it in our discussions, and in my video comments.
The difference between labor and labor power lies in the distinction between the actual work done and the potential to work. Labor refers to the physical and mental effort that workers put into producing goods or services. It’s the act of working itself—like building a house, writing a book, or assembling a product.
Labor power, on the other hand, refers to the capacity or ability of a worker to perform labor. It’s the worker’s potential to work, which they sell to an employer in exchange for wages. The employer buys the worker’s labor power (the ability to work) and then puts it to use to generate products and, ultimately, profit.
The key difference is that labor is the actual act of working, while labor power is the potential or capability to do that work, which can be bought and sold in a capitalist economy. - Surplus Value: what is it? Why is it important to know about, in our study of social classes? Think about an example of surplus value?
Surplus value refers to the difference between the value produced by a worker’s labor and the wages the worker is paid. In other words, it’s the extra value or profit that the employer gains from the worker’s labor beyond what the worker is compensated for. This concept is central to Marxist economic theory, which argues that surplus value is the source of profit in capitalist systems and is generated by exploiting workers—paying them less than the value they create.
Understanding surplus value is crucial in studying social classes because it highlights the economic exploitation that occurs between different classes, particularly between the working class (proletariat) and the capitalist class (bourgeoisie). The capitalist class profits from surplus value, while the working class often receives only a fraction of the value they produce.
An example of surplus value could be a factory worker who is paid $10 an hour to make shoes, but each pair of shoes they produce is sold for significantly more than what it costs to pay the worker and cover material expenses. The difference, or surplus value, goes to the employer, contributing to their profit, while the worker earns a fixed wage. This system helps maintain class divisions and economic inequality.
