“The average price of wage-labour is the minimum wage, i.e., that quantum of the means of subsistence, which is absolutely requisite in bare existence as a labourer. What, therefore, the wage-labourer appropriates by means of his labour, merely suffices to prolong and reproduce a bare existence. We by no means intend to abolish this personal appropriation of the products of labour, an appropriation that is made for the maintenance and reproduction of human life, and that leaves no surplus wherewith to command the labour of others. All that we want to do away with, is the miserable character of this appropriation, under which the labourer lives merely to increase capital, and is allowed to live only in so far as the interest of the ruling class requires it.
In bourgeois society, living labour is but a means to increase accumulated labour. In Communist society, accumulated labour is but a means to widen, to enrich, to promote the existence of the labourer.
In bourgeois society, therefore, the past dominates the present; in Communist society, the present dominates the past. In bourgeois society capital is independent and has individuality, while the living person is dependent and has no individuality.”
Excerpt From The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx
Karl Marx's words from "The Communist Manifesto" resonate across time, offering a critical lens through which we can examine the relationship between wage labor and capital. Despite the years that have passed since these words were penned, their relevance endures, casting light on the dynamics of contemporary societies.
"The average price of wage-labour is the minimum wage," Marx asserts, drawing attention to the stark reality that the compensation for labor often hovers around the bare minimum required for survival. This observation remains pertinent in today's discourse on income inequality and the struggles faced by the working class to secure a living wage. The quest for fair and livable wages persists as a contemporary battle cry.
Marx's critique of the "miserable character" of labor appropriation is a poignant reflection on the exploitation inherent in certain economic systems. As we confront issues such as wage stagnation, precarious employment, and the gig economy, Marx's words echo in the ongoing discussions about the need to rectify exploitative labor practices.
Marx's distinction between bourgeois and communist societies sheds light on the power dynamics at play. In our contemporary capitalist landscape, accumulated capital often dictates the trajectory of society. The influence of wealth on political and social structures is evident, raising questions about the extent to which the past continues to dominate the present.
The excerpt paints a contrasting vision of a communist society, where accumulated labor serves to enhance, enrich, and uplift the lives of the laborer. This utopian view challenges us to consider alternative economic models that prioritize the well-being and empowerment of the workforce.
Marx's poignant observation on individuality in bourgeois society remains pertinent. The assertion that capital possesses independence and individuality while the living person is dependent underscores ongoing debates about the autonomy and agency of the working class within existing economic systems.
As we reflect on these timeless words from "The Communist Manifesto," it becomes clear that Marx's analysis of labor and capital continues to resonate with contemporary challenges. The struggle for fair wages, the critique of exploitative labor practices, and the quest for a more equitable economic order persist, making Marx's insights a relevant guide in our ongoing discussions about the nature of work and wealth in society.