10. Marx's Theory of Capitalism

YaleCourses
5 Apr 201151:14
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this lecture, the professor explores the theories of Marxism and utilitarianism, highlighting their micro and macro narratives. The discussion delves into Marx's labor theory of value, emphasizing the role of socially necessary labor time in determining commodity value. It contrasts the concepts of 'class-in-itself' and 'class-for-itself,' and how these relate to the dynamics of capitalism and the struggle between labor and capital. The lecture also addresses the implications of technological innovation on surplus value and the rate of exploitation, setting the stage for further examination in the next session.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The comparison between Marxism and utilitarianism involves both micro and macro stories, with each tradition having its own principles and outcomes.
  • 🤔 Utilitarianism is based on the Pareto principle at the micro level and the idea of an efficient outcome through free transactions at the macro level, often referred to as the 'invisible hand'.
  • 🔍 Marx's theory also includes micro and macro narratives, with an 'invisible hand' of its own, though he believed this hand could turn malevolent over time due to capitalism's dynamics.
  • 🌐 Enlightenment thinkers valued individual freedom and scientific principles over tradition or religion, and Marx shared this focus on individual freedom as the highest good.
  • 🏭 Marx's view of freedom involves the abolition of labor division, which he saw as a form of enslavement, and the achievement of a communist society where wealth is super abundant.
  • 🧠 Marx's materialist conception of history posits that historical forces shape society's direction, moving through phases with internal contradictions that determine societal conflict.
  • 👥 Marx distinguished between 'class-in-itself' and 'class-for-itself', emphasizing the objective position in the division of labor versus the subjective perception of one's class.
  • 💡 The labor theory of value is central to Marx's thought, with 'socially necessary labor time' being key to determining the value of commodities.
  • 🔄 Marx's theory suggests a constant drive for technological innovation in capitalism, as it is a key way to increase productivity and compete in the market.
  • 📈 The adoption of technology in production can lead to a decrease in the rate of profit over time as it becomes the new status quo in the industry.
  • 👷 Marx believed that workers' happiness and satisfaction are other-referential, influenced by comparisons with others in their situation, not just by their own absolute gains or losses.
Q & A
  • What are the two key stories in both Marxism and the utilitarian tradition?

    -The two key stories are the micro story and the macro story. The micro story involves individual transactions and the creation of wealth at a micro level under capitalism for both traditions. The macro story is about the overall outcome and efficiency at a larger scale, which in the case of utilitarianism is achieved through free transactions and for Marxism, it involves the dynamics of capitalism and its eventual outcomes.

  • How does the Pareto principle fit into the utilitarian micro story?

    -The Pareto principle is part of the utilitarian micro story as it suggests that individual transactions will result in the best possible outcome for the parties involved, assuming no externalities. It's a principle that focuses on individual efficiency and optimality in decision-making.

  • What is the 'invisible hand' theory mentioned in the context of Adam Smith's work?

    -The 'invisible hand' theory, introduced by Adam Smith in 'The Wealth of Nations', posits that individuals pursuing their own self-interest无意中会通过市场机制导致社会整体的经济效率和福祉提升。 Smith argues that while individuals are focused on their own gain, their collective actions inadvertently lead to beneficial outcomes for society as a whole.

  • How does Marx's view of the 'invisible hand' differ from Adam Smith's?

    -Marx agrees with Smith that individual actions can lead to unintended macro-level outcomes. However, Marx argues that the 'invisible hand' in capitalism isn't entirely benevolent. While it may initially lead to positive outcomes, over time it can become malevolent due to the inherent dynamics and contradictions within the capitalist system.

  • What is the concept of 'class-in-itself' and 'class-for-itself' in Marx's theory?

    -In Marx's theory, 'class-in-itself' refers to the objective position of a group in the social division of labor, based on their relationship to the means of production. 'Class-for-itself' is the subjective understanding and identification of one's own class position. Marx argues that historical change is driven by the 'class-in-itself', the objective class struggle, rather than the 'class-for-itself', the subjective class consciousness.

  • How does Marx define the working class?

    -Marx defines the working class as those who must sell their labor-power to others in order to live. This definition is based on the individual's relationship to the means of production. If an individual's livelihood depends on selling their labor to another, they are considered part of the working class.

  • What is the significance of 'socially necessary labor time' in Marx's labor theory of value?

    -Socially necessary labor time is a key concept in Marx's labor theory of value. It refers to the amount of labor time required to produce a commodity under the normal conditions of production for a given society, with the average degree of skill and intensity prevalent in that society. This concept is used to determine the value of commodities in a competitive market.

  • How does Marx explain the concept of surplus value?

    -Marx explains surplus value as the value created by labor that exceeds the cost of producing the labor itself (the wages). He argues that living human labor-power is the only source of new value and that the consumption of labor as a use-value leads to the creation of new exchange value, which forms the basis of surplus value in capitalism.

  • What is the role of technology in Marx's analysis of capitalism?

    -In Marx's analysis, technology plays a crucial role in increasing productivity and reducing the socially necessary labor time. The introduction of new technologies allows capitalists to cover their wage bills more quickly, leading to increased exploitation and a higher rate of surplus value. However, Marx also notes that widespread adoption of technology leads to a falling rate of profit over time.

  • How does Marx view the relationship between wages and the value of what a worker produces?

    -Marx argues that wages are not determined by the value of what a worker produces. Instead, wages are determined by the cost of producing the worker, which includes the expenses for training, education, and maintaining the worker at a level of subsistence. This means that wages are driven towards the minimum required for the worker to continue to work.

  • What are the implications of Marx's theory for understanding class conflict and historical change?

    -Marx's theory suggests that class conflict arises from the inherent dynamics of capitalism, where the objective position of classes ('class-in-itself') leads to historical change. He posits that as capitalism evolves, the working class will eventually become aware of their position in the social division of labor ('class-for-itself') and instigate a revolution leading to a communist society, where the division of labor and associated class conflicts are abolished.

  • How does the concept of 'other-referential' affect Marx's analysis of worker's well-being and exploitation?

    -Marx's concept of 'other-referential' suggests that workers assess their well-being not only in absolute terms but also in comparison to others. He believed that workers would compare their situation to that of the capitalists, which would highlight the exploitation and lead to militancy. However, modern sociological studies indicate that workers often compare themselves to similarly-situated others, which can affect their perception of exploitation and satisfaction with their conditions.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Marxism and Utilitarianism

The paragraph introduces the comparison between Marxism and the utilitarian tradition, highlighting that both have micro and macro stories. The micro story of utilitarianism is exemplified by the Pareto principle, focusing on individual transactions, while the macro story emphasizes the efficiency of free transactions in achieving utilitarian outcomes. Adam Smith's concept of the invisible hand is discussed, along with Marx's similar but contrasting micro and macro stories and his own version of the invisible hand theory, which suggests that capitalism's dynamics lead to a benevolent then malevolent outcome over time. The paragraph also touches on Marx's views on freedom and his materialist conception of history, which posits that historical development is driven by economic interests and class conflicts.

05:02
🏭 Marx's Critique of Division of Labor and Alienation

This paragraph delves into Marx's critique of the division of labor, arguing that it leads to a loss of freedom and alienation from one's true self. Marx's vision of a communist society is presented, where the absence of a division of labor allows individuals to freely pursue various activities without being confined to a single role. The paragraph also discusses the role of capitalism in creating the wealth necessary for this communist ideal and introduces the concept of 'class-in-itself' and 'class-for-itself,' emphasizing the importance of understanding one's objective position in the division of labor.

10:05
👷‍♂️ Definition of Class and Class Consciousness

The paragraph focuses on Marx's definition of class based on the relationship between individuals and the means of production. It clarifies that being working class is determined by the necessity to sell one's labor power to live, not by the actual act of selling labor. The distinction between 'class-in-itself' and 'class-for-itself' is further explored, with the former representing the objective class position and the latter the subjective perception of one's class position. The paragraph suggests that historical change is driven by the 'class-in-itself,' regardless of individuals' subjective understanding of their social position.

15:06
💡 The Labor Theory of Value and Surplus

This paragraph introduces Marx's labor theory of value, which posits that the value of commodities is determined by the socially necessary labor time required to produce them. The concept of 'socially necessary labor time' is explained, emphasizing that it accounts for the average skill and intensity of labor and the use of available technologies. The paragraph also presents the idea that living human labor power is the sole source of new value, contrasting with other commodities whose consumption does not create additional value. The discussion then transitions into the labor theory of surplus value, highlighting the distinction between necessary and surplus labor and the concept of exploitation.

20:12
🏗️ Capital Intensity and the Rate of Exploitation

The paragraph discusses the impact of technological innovation on the rate of exploitation and the dynamics of capitalism. It explains how capitalists strive to increase productivity through technology to reduce the necessary labor time and increase surplus labor, thereby boosting profits. The concept of 'constant capital' and 'variable capital' is introduced, with the latter being wages and the former being all other expenses. The paragraph also touches on the idea that as production becomes more capital-intensive, the rate of profit tends to decline due to the increased investment in constant capital, which does not produce new value. The tension between short-term profits and long-term rate of profit is highlighted, along with the pressure for continuous technological innovation in capitalism.

25:12
🤔 Normative Aspects of Exploitation and Other-Referential Comparisons

In this paragraph, the discussion shifts to the normative aspects of exploitation and the concept of other-referential comparisons. It challenges the notion of comparing one's well-being solely to past conditions and introduces Marx's idea that workers compare their situations to those of others, particularly capitalists. The paragraph presents the argument that workers may perceive a situation with higher exploitation rates as worse, even if it offers more absolute value, because of the increased disparity between workers and capitalists. It also touches on the psychological and social aspects of workers' perceptions of their well-being in relation to others and sets the stage for further exploration of these ideas in the subsequent lecture.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Marxism
Marxism is a social, political, and economic theory originated from the works of Karl Marx, focusing on the struggle between the working class and the capitalist class. In the video, Marxism is contrasted with the utilitarian tradition, highlighting its micro and macro stories and the concept of an 'invisible hand' in both theories.
💡Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a philosophical doctrine that emphasizes the greatest happiness for the greatest number as the guiding principle for ethical decision-making. In the context of the video, utilitarianism's micro story involves the Pareto principle, and its macro story is about achieving efficient outcomes through free transactions.
💡Invisible Hand
The invisible hand is a metaphor introduced by Adam Smith to describe the unintended social benefits produced by individuals pursuing their own self-interest in a free market. In the video, this concept is tied to both the utilitarian and Marxist frameworks, but with a critical distinction in how Marx views the long-term outcomes.
💡Division of Labor
The division of labor refers to the specialization of tasks in production, which increases efficiency but can also lead to alienation of workers from their work and themselves. In the video, Marx criticizes the division of labor for creating a situation where individuals are confined to specific roles, limiting their freedom and potential for全面发展.
💡Alienation
Alienation, in a Marxian context, refers to the estrangement of individuals from their work, the products of their labor, and their own human potential under capitalist conditions. The video discusses how the division of labor and the capitalist mode of production lead to this state of alienation.
💡Communism
Communism is a political and economic ideology that seeks to establish a classless society in which the means of production are owned communally, and wealth is distributed according to need. In the video, communism is presented as Marx's utopian ideal where the division of labor is abolished, and individuals are free to pursue various activities without being confined to a single role.
💡Class-in-itself vs. Class-for-itself
These terms from Marx's theory distinguish between the objective position of a class in society (class-in-itself) and the subjective identification with that class by its members (class-for-itself). The video emphasizes that historical change is driven by the objective class struggle, not the subjective class consciousness.
💡Materialist Conception of History
The materialist conception of history is Marx's theory that the economic structure of society and the relations of production within it fundamentally shape the course of human history. In the video, this conception is used to explain the progression of historical modes of production and the internal contradictions that lead to their transformation.
💡Labor Theory of Value
The labor theory of value is an economic concept that asserts the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor time required to produce it. In the video, this theory is central to Marx's critique of capitalism, as it forms the basis for his analysis of exploitation and surplus value.
💡Surplus Value
Surplus value in Marxist theory is the value created by workers that exceeds the cost of their labor power (wages), which is then appropriated by capitalists as profit. The video discusses surplus value as the source of profit in capitalism and as a measure of exploitation.
💡Exploitation
Exploitation, in the context of Marx's theory, refers to the process by which capitalists extract surplus value from workers, essentially using the workers' labor to generate profit without compensating them for the full value they create. The video delves into the concept of exploitation as central to the operation of capitalism and the source of profit.
Highlights

Marxism and utilitarianism both have micro and macro stories, with each having an 'invisible hand' theory.

Utilitarian tradition is based on the Pareto principle and the idea of free transactions leading to efficient outcomes.

Marx's micro story involves understanding wealth creation under capitalism and his macro story involves the dynamics of capitalism.

Marx's concept of freedom involves the abolition of the division of labor and the super abundance of wealth leading to a communist society.

Marx's theory of science is based on the materialist conception of history, where history moves through phases with internal contradictions.

Marx distinguishes between a class-in-itself and a class-for-itself, emphasizing the objective position in the division of labor.

Marx's theory of value is based on socially necessary labor time, which determines the value of commodities.

Marx argues that living human labor-power is the only source of fresh value, leading to the concept of surplus value.

Wages are determined by the cost of producing the worker, not by the value of what the worker produces.

Marx's theory suggests that capitalism's dynamism comes from technological innovation and the move towards more capital-intensive production.

Marx's theory predicts a declining tendency in the rate of profit due to the increased use of constant capital over variable capital.

Marx's concept of exploitation involves the rate of surplus value over necessary labor time, which can increase even as workers have more.

Marx suggests that workers' happiness is other-referential, based on comparisons with others in similar situations.

Marx's theory implies that workers may become militant not just due to their absolute conditions but relative to the conditions of other workers.

Transcripts
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