As for slavery, there is no need for me to speak of its…
“As for slavery, there is no need for me to speak of its bad aspects. The only thing requiring explanation is the good side of slavery. I do not mean indirect slavery, the slavery of proletariat; I mean direct slavery, the slavery of the Blacks in Surinam, in Brazil, in the southern regions of North America. Direct slavery is as much the pivot upon which our present-day industrialism turns as are machinery, credit, etc. … Slavery is therefore an economic category of paramount importance.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Marx argues that slavery, especially direct slavery of Black people, was a crucial economic factor underpinning modern industrialism.
In simple terms: Slavery was a key economic driver for industrialism.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge historical economic foundations of modern systems.
Themes
history
economics
ethics
Mood
critical
historical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy analysis
- education curricula
Key Concepts
capitalism
labor exploitation
colonialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we reconcile economic history with ethical judgments?
- What lessons apply to today's labor practices?
A Different Perspective
Moral condemnation may conflict with economic analysis.