Conflict Quote by John C. Calhoun
“Where wages command labor, as in the non-slaveholding States, there necessarily takes place between labor and capital a conflict, which leads, in process of time, to disorder, anarchy, and revolution if not counteracted by some appropriate and strong constitutional provision. Such is not the case in the slaveholding States.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the U.S. Senate, 1850
Economic systems that rely on wage labor create inherent class conflict, potentially leading to social instability unless mitigated by strong constitutional safeguards.
In simple terms: Wage labor can cause class tension and unrest without protective laws.
Key Takeaway
Implement robust constitutional measures to balance labor and capital interests.
Themes
economics
politics
social stability
class conflict
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- Industrial policy
- legislative reform
- union negotiations
- social welfare planning
Key Concepts
Marxist theory
constitutional law
labor-capital relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern constitutions adapt to protect workers in a gig economy?
- What non‑legal mechanisms can reduce labor‑capital tension?
A Different Perspective
Strong constitutional provisions may not fully eliminate power imbalances or address underlying economic inequities.
