Understanding Marx's Capital Volume 1 Chapter 16 - Absolute and Relative Surplus-Value
TLDRThis script explores the concepts of absolute and relative surplus-value in Marx's Capital, highlighting the transition from Formal to Real Subsumption. It discusses how surplus-value is produced by extending the working day or increasing productivity. The script also delves into the definition of productive labor, emphasizing its social and historical context within capitalism, and illustrates the distinction between direct production labor and supportive services.
Takeaways
- 🔄 The distinction between absolute and relative surplus-value is not always clear-cut, as they can appear to be the same or different depending on the context.
- 📚 In Marx's 'Capital', Part 3 discusses the concept of Absolute Surplus Value, which is produced by extending the working day beyond what is necessary for the worker's survival.
- 🛠️ Formal Subsumption is the term Marx uses to describe the early method of producing surplus-value where workers control the labor process, and surplus-value is obtained by lengthening the working day.
- 🚀 Capital evolves from Formal Subsumption to Real Subsumption, where it takes control of the labor process, restructuring it to increase productivity and produce Relative Surplus Value.
- 💡 Relative Surplus Value is generated by increasing labor productivity and intensity, which devalues labor power and allows for more surplus value to be produced for the capitalist.
- 👷 The concept of a productive worker is not just about the individual's work and its outcome but also about the social and historical relations of production within capitalism.
- 🌱 Initially, labor was considered productive in an individualistic sense, where a worker was productive by meeting their own needs or goals.
- 👥 Over time, labor became a social function, with collective efforts towards specific goals defining productivity within a shared context.
- 🏭 Under capitalism, only laborers who directly produce surplus value are considered productive, as they contribute to the capitalist's goal of surplus value creation.
- 🔄 Capitalism appropriates both cooperation and division of labor, making the labor force collective and interdependent in the pursuit of surplus value.
- 🏫 Marx illustrates the concept of productive labor with the example of a schoolmaster, whose labor is productive in the context of enriching the school proprietor, regardless of the industry.
Q & A
What is the distinction between absolute and relative surplus-value according to the script?
-The script suggests that while absolute and relative surplus-value may seem identical at first, they have distinct behaviors. Absolute surplus-value involves extending the working day beyond what is necessary for the worker's existence, thus it is absolute in its prolongation. Relative surplus-value, on the other hand, is achieved by increasing labor productivity, which allows the necessary labor time to be confined to a portion of the working day, making it relative to the development of labor's productiveness.
What is the concept of Formal Subsumption as described by Marx?
-Formal Subsumption is an early method of producing surplus-value where capital could only obtain surplus-value by lengthening the working day. Under this method, there is a clear distinction between the period of the day when laborers are producing necessary labor and the period when they are producing surplus labor for the capitalist.
How does Real Subsumption differ from Formal Subsumption?
-Real Subsumption is a method where capital takes command over the laboring process by revolutionizing and restructuring it to meet its needs. Relative surplus-value is produced by increasing labor's productivity and intensity, and by devaluing labor power through the cheapening of commodities needed for the worker's reproduction, thus increasing the time spent on producing surplus value.
What is the historical origin of the concept of productive labor according to Marx?
-Originally, labor was considered productive in an abstract, individualistic sense, where a laborer saw themselves as productive by producing directly for their individual need or goal. Over time, as labor processes became a social function with people working together towards shared goals, the concept of productive labor evolved to include only those laboring towards specific goals or use values as part of a collective labor force.
How does Marx define a productive worker in the context of capitalism?
-In the capitalist mode of production, a productive worker is one who not only produces value but also produces surplus value. This worker is seen as part of a collective labor force that works towards the capitalist's goal of creating surplus value.
What is the relationship between the division of labor and the concept of productive labor?
-The division of labor is appropriated by capitalism, creating a collective labor force where some people perform jobs directly towards production, while others perform services that support those in direct production. This division contributes to the distinction between jobs that are considered productive in the context of surplus value creation.
How does the script relate the concept of productive labor to the historical development of labor processes?
-The script suggests that the concept of productive labor has evolved historically from an individualistic perspective to a social function where laborers work collectively towards specific goals or use values. This historical development is crucial in understanding the role of productive labor within a capitalist system.
What is the significance of the example of a schoolmaster provided by Marx?
-The example of a schoolmaster illustrates that the productivity of labor is not solely about the nature of the work itself but also about the social and economic context in which it is performed. A schoolmaster is considered a productive laborer when their work contributes to the enrichment of the school proprietor, regardless of the industry.
How does the script explain the transition from Formal to Real Subsumption?
-The script explains that capital grows from Formal Subsumption, where the working day is lengthened to produce surplus value, to Real Subsumption, where surplus value is produced by increasing labor productivity and restructuring the labor process to better serve capital's needs.
What is the role of the necessary labor time in the production of surplus value?
-Necessary labor time is the portion of the working day dedicated to producing the value equivalent to the worker's wages. The reduction of necessary labor time through increased productivity allows for an expansion of surplus labor time, during which surplus value is produced for the capitalist.
How does the script discuss the contextual nature of productive labor under capitalism?
-The script highlights that what is considered productive labor under capitalism is highly contextual and historical. It depends on the worker's contribution to the production process and the creation of surplus value, rather than the nature of the work itself.
Outlines
🕒 Understanding Surplus Value Production
This paragraph explores the concepts of absolute and relative surplus value within the context of Marx's Capital. It explains that while both forms seem to be interchangeable, they have distinct impacts on the labor process. Absolute surplus value is achieved by extending the working day, which Marx refers to as Formal Subsumption, where capitalists gain surplus value by increasing the length of labor time. In contrast, relative surplus value emerges from Real Subsumption, where the labor process itself is revolutionized to increase productivity, thereby creating more surplus value within the same working day. The paragraph also delves into the definition of productive labor, emphasizing that it is not just about the creation of use-values but also involves a social and historical context within the capitalist mode of production. Productive laborers are those who contribute directly to the creation of surplus value, which includes both the production of value and surplus value. The distinction between labor that directly produces commodities and labor that provides services to support production is also highlighted.
🏭 Contextualizing Productive Labor in Capitalism
The second paragraph provides a contemporary perspective on the concept of productive labor by contrasting factory workers with coffee shop employees. It suggests that the definition of productive labor is not only contextual but also historical, meaning it changes over time and depends on the specific circumstances of production. Marx uses the example of a schoolmaster to illustrate that productive labor is not confined to the manufacturing of material goods; it can also be related to the service sector if it contributes to the valorization of capital. The paragraph reinforces the idea that productive labor must be considered in relation to the overall production process and the capitalist's goal of surplus value creation, indicating that the classification of labor as productive is fluid and dependent on its contribution to the capitalist system.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Surplus Value
💡Absolute Surplus Value
💡Relative Surplus Value
💡Formal Subsumption
💡Real Subsumption
💡Productive Labor
💡Necessary Labor
💡Labor Power
💡Cooperation
💡Division of Labour
💡Use Value
Highlights
The distinction between absolute and relative surplus-value is initially presented as illusory, with a deeper analysis revealing their distinct behaviors.
Absolute Surplus Value is produced by extending the working day, categorized by Marx as Formal Subsumption.
Under Formal Subsumption, a clear distinction is made between necessary labor and surplus labor periods within the working day.
Capital evolves from Formal Subsumption to Real Subsumption, where labor productivity and intensity are increased to produce Relative Surplus Value.
Relative Surplus Value is achieved by devaluing labor power through the cheapening of commodities needed for worker reproduction.
The concept of a productive worker involves a social relation of production with a historical origin, integral to capital's valorization process.
Labor's productivity in creating use-values has transitioned from an individualistic to a collective social function over time.
In a capitalist mode of production, only laborers producing surplus value are considered productive, emphasizing their role in value creation.
The capitalist mode of production appropriates cooperation and division of labor, maintaining a collective labor force.
Laborers are distinguished by their direct contribution to production versus those providing supportive services.
The example of a schoolmaster illustrates the contextual nature of what constitutes productive labor under capitalism.
Productive labor under capitalism is contextual, historical, and must be considered in relation to the overall production process.
The transcript explores the evolution of labor processes from individualistic to collective efforts within a capitalist framework.
The role of productive laborers is defined by their contribution to surplus value creation, a key concept in Marx's analysis of capitalism.
The transcript delves into the historical development of labor processes and their impact on the concept of productive labor.
The relationship between labor, productivity, and surplus value is central to understanding the dynamics of capitalism.
The transcript provides a nuanced view of labor's role in the capitalist system, highlighting the importance of surplus value production.
Transcripts
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