Surplus value and Exploitation

“How was Theory of Capital formed?” (by Tetsuzo Fuwa/2012/Shinnihon-shuppasha)

The author studied two points. 1: How was Engels involved in Das Kapital? 2: Analyze Marx's thought process based on Marx's drafts.

After the death of Marx and Engels, their theories were deemed outdated and research was not continued.

But instead of stopping at Marx's currently published writings, we need to analyze Marx's unpublished drafts.

“Das Kapital'' was not born out of thin air.
Marx's characteristic lies in his thorough analysis of past economists and philosophers and his critical understanding of them.

This book is written for people who have an understanding of Capital, and contains many technical terms that are difficult to understand.

What is "surplus value" that is mentioned repeatedly in this book?


We will leave this book and explain it in our own way.

In the 1970s, Japanese television aired a debate program between Japanese and Chinese high school students.
A Japanese high school student argued, “Rich people have a lot of money because they work hard and work hard.''
A Chinese high school student said: "That's not true. Rich people get rich because they exploit workers and save the surplus profits."

exploitation

It is said that "all human beings are equal".
A long time ago, humans lived by exchanging things.
In capitalism, humans either sell their labor or deliver goods to capitalists.
Here, the capitalist must essentially pay the works an amount equal to the value of the labor or product.
Marx said that there was a need for “remuneration sufficient to enable the entire working family to live a healthy and civilized life.''

However, the capitalist pockets a portion of the amount owed to the worker.

Workers create a lot of value, but capitalists only pay a portion of that value. This is called exploitation.

The wealth of capitalists and corporations grows enormously, but nothing remains in the hands of workers.

On the contrary, in Japan, in 1971, under pressure from large corporations, the copyright law was revised, and until then, copyright was taken away from directors, artists, photographers, etc., and production companies now own the copyright.

For example, Harada directed ''BEM'' and created ''Folktales from Japan'' almost by himself, but he has no copyright.
But production companies can duplicate content and repeatedly make a profit.The profits are not returned to the employees of the production company.

Large corporations around the world have revised laws one after another that are more favorable to corporations and the wealthy than to workers.
The military industry is no longer able to be stopped by individuals, and world leaders are condoning mass murder.
This cannot solve the bullying and violence that occurs in children's society.

Marx argues that political activity is necessary not only for individual life but also for resolving various social contradictions.

And we must never be silent.

We should always raise our voices against those in power.