| |
[55] Wight: The formulation “It is as if” is used by Marx to illustrate the sweeping
generality of the entire statement. Marx is aggregating all of the
labor of the
entire population. There are a few incorrect assumptions in this view
of labor. First, it assumes that all laborers are willing participants,
which we know they are not in the capitalist system. Secondly, the
underlying assumption that all
people perform the same amount of labor i.e. equal in efficiency, time,
and quality of tasks completed is incorrect. I think Marx is trying
to point out these discrepencies and inconsistencies, hence the
formulation at the beginning of the statement. In response to wether or
not people have behaved this way, I would say that they have in a sense.
Basically, you can aggregate anything in the economy and generalize for
all involved parties. But, where this theory falls short is in not taking
account for individual contributions. Every person works differently and
no credit is given for good workers vs. poor workers. Marx's statement
just views labor as one huge, entire aggregated concept. It is my
proposition that this is why Marx begins this passage “It is as if,”
because it can appear to be so and still not be accurate. |
|