Veronica Gonzalez

POL 100 (0504) – Intro. to American Govt. – Fall 2022

Discussion Board 5.1

Q1. In my understanding the means of production represents the materials, equipment and even the talent that is needed to produce a product that will then become profit producing.

Labor represents the work that a worker puts into a product, idea, or design that then transforms that product, idea, or design into something that is now seen as having value.

An example of means of production would be the materials that a Uber driver uses i.e. car, gasoline, gps, the skill of driving, to produce an income. 

An example of labor would be the skill and craftsmanship that goes into transforming glass into a glass vase that now has a different look and purpose to it.

Q2. Based on the ideas presented in Video 5.1 the value something has is based and measured by how much labor went into producing it under normal circumstances.

The item/product/design has value because of how much labor was put into creating it by the worker.

Q3. Labor and value are related in that one can not exist without the other. That being said, the relationship/connection between labor and value is that it is not only the design, the skill, talent and craftsmanship that the worker puts into making this product that is being considered/evaluated, but it also includes the time/hours of work invested in the making of this product which gives it its’ value to where the purchaser is not only paying for the product but they recognize its worth and then deciding to purchase the product and pay the price that it is being sold for.

Q4. From my perspective, the difference between labor and labor power is that labor is the time invested, by the worker, into making a product whereas labor power is the capability, skills and the capacity of the worker to labor/work. Labor power exists only in people and it is this capability, skills and the capacity of the worker that makes them valuable to the capitalist.

Q5. Surplus value is defined as profit that the owner receives from the labor of their workers. Surplus value is key in capitalism and it is dependent on the workers having to labor and produce more yet their wages are not increased. Knowing how surplus value affects society is important because from a capitalist perspective, it shows us how society is viewed to be either in the worker class or the owner class. An example of surplus value would be factory workers who work long hours to produce name brand items of clothing. These workers sometimes work in deplorable conditions, sacrifice their personal time, lack in benefits and are paid wages that are way below what the items they produce sell for. The workers only receive the wages they are contracted for while the owner receives all of the profits from the sale of the items the workers so arduously pieced together.