Bodhi O'Shea on Nostr: npub1802h6…c5ky5 npub167e4r…h6xnc Yes, capitalists are able to compete with other ...
npub1802h6nf2a4qgrdc62sehj9s3cndcx3dgvkz2rc7aswe9c0l57pjqhc5ky5 (npub1802…5ky5) npub167e4rdf7y7skwzt03hruxzpme7qms05pxu2fcthq6y3ag6hzrkgsnh6xnc (npub167e…6xnc)
Yes, capitalists are able to compete with other capitalists to some extent. But Labor is prevented from competeing with capital. That is where capital uses the law to prevent competition. "For instance, can you see any competition between the farmer and his hired man? Don’t you think he would prefer to work for himself? Why does the farmer employ him? Is it not to make some profit from his labor? And does the hired man give him that profit out of pure good nature? Would he not rather have the full product of his labor at his own disposal?
...Now, does this relation between the farmer and his man in any way resemble a cooperative affair between equals, free to compete, but choosing to work together for mutual benefit? You know it does not. Can’t you see that since the hired man does not willingly resign a large share of his product to his employer (and it is out of human nature to say he does), there must be something which forces him to do it? Can’t you see that the necessity of an employer is forced upon him by his lack of ability to command the means of production? He cannot employ himself, therefore he must sell his labor at a disadvantage to him who controls the land and capital. Hence he is not free to compete with his employer any more than a prisoner is free to compete with his jailer for fresh air." - Voltairine de Cleyre
Yes, capitalists are able to compete with other capitalists to some extent. But Labor is prevented from competeing with capital. That is where capital uses the law to prevent competition. "For instance, can you see any competition between the farmer and his hired man? Don’t you think he would prefer to work for himself? Why does the farmer employ him? Is it not to make some profit from his labor? And does the hired man give him that profit out of pure good nature? Would he not rather have the full product of his labor at his own disposal?
...Now, does this relation between the farmer and his man in any way resemble a cooperative affair between equals, free to compete, but choosing to work together for mutual benefit? You know it does not. Can’t you see that since the hired man does not willingly resign a large share of his product to his employer (and it is out of human nature to say he does), there must be something which forces him to do it? Can’t you see that the necessity of an employer is forced upon him by his lack of ability to command the means of production? He cannot employ himself, therefore he must sell his labor at a disadvantage to him who controls the land and capital. Hence he is not free to compete with his employer any more than a prisoner is free to compete with his jailer for fresh air." - Voltairine de Cleyre