Synthesis-
18th March 2013, 12:42
I have a question about a specific paragraph on Capital Volume 1. The paragraph has to do with Producton of Relative Surplus-Value, basically part 4 chapter 12.
Co-operation allows of the work being carried on over an extended space; it is consequently imperatively called for in certain undertakings, such as draining, constructing dykes, irrigation works, and the making of canals, roads and railways. On the other hand, while extending the scale of production, it renders possible a relative contraction of the arena. This contraction of arena simultaneous with, and arising from, extension of scale, whereby a number of useless expenses are cut down, is owing to the conglomeration of labourers, to the aggregation of various processes, and to the concentration of the means of production. The combined working day produces, relatively to an equal sum of isolated working-days, a greater quantity of use-values, and, consequently, diminishes the labour-time necessary for the production of a given useful effect. Whether the combined working-day, in a give case, acquires this increaded productive power, because it heightens the mechanical force of labour, or extends its sphere of action over a greater space, or contracts the field of production relatively to the scale of production, or at the critical moment sets large masses of labour to work, or excites emulation between individuals and raises their animal spirits,or impresses on the similar operations carried on by number of men the stamp of continuity and many-sidedness, or performs simultaneously different operations, or economises the means of production by use in common, or lends to individual labour the character of average social labour-which ever of these be the cause of the increase, the special productive power of the combined working day is, under all circumstances, the social productive power of labour, or the productive power of social labour. This power is due to co-operation itself. When the labourer co-operates systematically with others, he strips off the fetters of his individuality, and develops the capabilities of his species.
Ok, in general I have hard time understanding Capital as this is my first time reading it. I would like for someone to try to correct me in my understanding a bit or lay it out in lay-mans terms on what is being said here.
Is marx saying that the scale of advanced capitalist production render the artisan redundant and inefficient when tasked to construct railways, irrigation canals etc. The artisan exists as a labour power only within the arena so long as capitalist production remains in a small scale but once capitalism advances then it swallows the artisan because his single unit of redundant inefficient labour is made absolute by the co-operation of labour needed under capitalism? And in doing so the co-operation of labourers also induces in them the sense of the capablities of the human species and also lays the groundwork for the consciousness and future workers organization brought about by the capitalist mode of production?.
Like I said I dont know shit, When I read marx I feel as though there is a duality of meanings in his writings so sometimes i feel as though I must read more into them. But then again I could comepletely be wrong. Can someone please help me out here. THanks.
Co-operation allows of the work being carried on over an extended space; it is consequently imperatively called for in certain undertakings, such as draining, constructing dykes, irrigation works, and the making of canals, roads and railways. On the other hand, while extending the scale of production, it renders possible a relative contraction of the arena. This contraction of arena simultaneous with, and arising from, extension of scale, whereby a number of useless expenses are cut down, is owing to the conglomeration of labourers, to the aggregation of various processes, and to the concentration of the means of production. The combined working day produces, relatively to an equal sum of isolated working-days, a greater quantity of use-values, and, consequently, diminishes the labour-time necessary for the production of a given useful effect. Whether the combined working-day, in a give case, acquires this increaded productive power, because it heightens the mechanical force of labour, or extends its sphere of action over a greater space, or contracts the field of production relatively to the scale of production, or at the critical moment sets large masses of labour to work, or excites emulation between individuals and raises their animal spirits,or impresses on the similar operations carried on by number of men the stamp of continuity and many-sidedness, or performs simultaneously different operations, or economises the means of production by use in common, or lends to individual labour the character of average social labour-which ever of these be the cause of the increase, the special productive power of the combined working day is, under all circumstances, the social productive power of labour, or the productive power of social labour. This power is due to co-operation itself. When the labourer co-operates systematically with others, he strips off the fetters of his individuality, and develops the capabilities of his species.
Ok, in general I have hard time understanding Capital as this is my first time reading it. I would like for someone to try to correct me in my understanding a bit or lay it out in lay-mans terms on what is being said here.
Is marx saying that the scale of advanced capitalist production render the artisan redundant and inefficient when tasked to construct railways, irrigation canals etc. The artisan exists as a labour power only within the arena so long as capitalist production remains in a small scale but once capitalism advances then it swallows the artisan because his single unit of redundant inefficient labour is made absolute by the co-operation of labour needed under capitalism? And in doing so the co-operation of labourers also induces in them the sense of the capablities of the human species and also lays the groundwork for the consciousness and future workers organization brought about by the capitalist mode of production?.
Like I said I dont know shit, When I read marx I feel as though there is a duality of meanings in his writings so sometimes i feel as though I must read more into them. But then again I could comepletely be wrong. Can someone please help me out here. THanks.