- 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 term “means of production” refers to the tools used to create a product. These tools can range from factories to computers to machines and vehicles. Labor then can be seen as the most important and necessary means of production because it is through labor that a series of tools undergoes the process that makes it a viable and tangible product.
- 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?
Value, as Marx described, it iss the amount of time production takes under normal circumstances. This concept means that we determine the value of any given item based on the amount of time spent laboring in order to make the product. This eanstime spent training/ learning to do a specific job adds value to the labor and in turn the product. This is why we see people like doctors and lawyers who have spent many years in education and specialized training making upwards of six figures a year. Similarly this is why we see products made using automated machines costing less because the amount of labor decreases meaning the value will decrease. The specification of time taken to make a product in normal circumstances is important to note here, as slacking off at a job and taking a long time or conversely working very quickly does not implicate a change in value.
- How are labor and value related? What’s the relationship/connection between the two?
As mentioned in the last question labor is related to value in that the determining factor of value is labor. They are equal because one implicates the other.
- 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.
Labor is different than labor power because labor power defines the work it takes for a product to be made and this is controlled by those in power, labor exist as the source of value to the capitalistic system. Labor power, however is the ability to labor and this is exclusively found in people and it is the most important commodity on the world. Labor power is the only commodity that when applied increases value. Through our labor power we create surplus value.
- 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 is the amount of value we create after all the basic needs that we have in order to create value are met and we are then creating more value on top of it. This is important to know because the wealth of the capitalist lies in the surplus value we create. The surplus value we create goes into the pockets of our employers ensuring that the owing class remains in their position and csptitalism continues as it should. Though the people laboring are the ones that hold the power in this dynamic it is taken away through the ideology of this system.