Buying power Quote by Karl Marx
““By buying the power of the workman, the capitalist has, therefore, acquired the right to use of make that labouring power during the whole day or week.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Capital, Volume I, 1867
Capitalists claim ownership over labor power, granting them control over workers’ time.
In simple terms: Control over workers’ time and effort.
Key Takeaway
Question labor exploitation.
Themes
economics
class
labor
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
theoretical
political
When to use this quote
- workplace negotiations
- policy debates
- union organizing
Key Concepts
ownership
exploitation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does ownership of labor affect workers?
- What alternatives exist to this power dynamic?
A Different Perspective
Argument may simplify complex economic relations.
