The labour-power is a commodity , not capital, in the…
“The labour-power is a commodity , not capital, in the hands of the labourer, and it constitutes for him a revenue so long as he can continuously repeat its sale; it functions as capital after its sale, in the hands of the capitalist, during the process of production itself.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Labor power is treated as a marketable good that generates income for workers until it is sold to capitalists, after which it becomes part of the production process.
In simple terms: Workers sell their labor for wages, then capitalists use that labor to produce goods.
Key Takeaway
Recognize labor as both a commodity and a source of value.
Themes
economics
class
labor
capital
production
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
theoretical
economic
When to use this quote
- wage negotiations
- union organizing
- business strategy
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
Marxist theory
commodity exchange
surplus value
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view apply to gig workers?
- What alternatives exist to wage labor?
A Different Perspective
The view overlooks non‑market labor and informal economies.