Part 6/8:
To understand capitalism, it is vital to recognize the labor force as a commodity. Workers sell their labor to capitalists for wages tied minimally to the subsistence needed to survive. Through the concept of surplus value, Marx elucidates why capitalism thrives on the exploitation of labor, where workers perform more hours than what they are compensated for, allowing capitalists to make a profit.
However, labor embodies a tension in that workers are not merely commodities; they possess human desires, hopes, and experiences that clash with the harsh realities of economic transactions. This nuanced perspective adds layers to Marx’s critique of capitalism, positioning labor not solely as a means to produce exchange value but as an crucial, integral aspect of social development and identity.