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About this quote

What does it mean?
Capital is dead labor that survives by extracting life from living workers, growing stronger as it consumes more labor.
In plain terms
Capital thrives by draining workers’ labor.
What can you take from it?
Beware of systems that exploit labor for profit.

Where it applies

  • workplace negotiations
  • policy debates

Putting it to work

  • advocate fair wages
  • support labor rights

Questions to consider

  • How does modern capitalism resemble this description?
  • What mechanisms can limit labor exploitation?

Another view

The metaphor may oversimplify complex economic relationships.

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