Concrete Quote by Kevin Carson
“Under chattel slavery and feudalism, exploitation was concrete and personalized in the producer's relationship with his master. The slave and peasant knew exactly who was screwing them. The modern worker, on the other hand, feels a pounding sensation, but has only a vague idea where it is coming from.”
About This Quote
Source Article: "The Rise of the Modern Labor Market", 2015
Modern workers feel abstract exploitation, unlike historic slaves who knew their oppressor.
In simple terms: Today's exploitation is vague and indirect.
Recognize hidden power structures.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace
- policy
- activism
- education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from opaque labor relations?
- How can workers gain clearer insight?
Identifying abstract oppression can be difficult.