Talking more about how we in the imperial core are exploited, rather than how imperialism exploits other countries’ resources, labour etc. I’m trying to find a satisfying explanation for why “well-paid” workers are also exploited.
From my understanding of Marx, exploitation happens in capitalism by the worker producing more value than what they are paid. This is evident by the profit these companies make, as it wouldn’t exist if their workers were not exploited. But I find it awkward to try to get this across to people not well versed in theory. You have job types like office workers that don’t really produce anything and only contribute to the companies bottom line indirectly. I get that theres unproductive and productive labor, but this is also alot to explain to someone who is not deep into economics.
This also got me thinking that exploitation is broader than just underpaying workers. There’s also psychological and physical abuse at the workplace that I feel has some connection to exploitation. The fact that the employer can threaten you with firing, or cutting some benefit also seems like exploitation to me.
Yep. Exploitation is twofold:
You’re reduced to the most wretched of commodities. Your labour is for sale but you don’t get the full value. You aren’t an equal partner to your coworkers or your boss. You’re being directly stolen from and forced into a position that makes stealing from you easier.
The full cost of production- the toll it takes on you, society, and the environment- is externalised by the company. They steal your water and poison your air, but you don’t get your share of those profits being made. You get sick from the work but they don’t pay the taxes to fund your healthcare. Your car is destroyed by the commute that is made worse by their tax evasion and semi-trucks degrading the roads, but they don’t pay for the wear and tear on it. You’re left paying for the privilege to work.