Marx, Ehrenreich, and Fuentes’ Description of Labor

Marx, Ehrenreich, and Fuentes’ Description of Labor

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Institution

Marx, Ehrenreich, and Fuentes’ Description of Labor

Karl Marx described labor as a value in use or the effort put forward for the production of goods and services. He differentiated labor from labor power, which he termed as the ability to perform tasks.  In essence, Karl Marx demonstrated that division of labor creates class differences and contradicts the unity of the human race. Ehrenreich and Fuentes described how capitalism has led to the division of labor in the third world countries. They also highlighted how women are exploited in the third world labor by being dumped. Marx, Ehrenreich, and Fuentes similarly show the description of labor as a form of exploitation to the workers but differ in describing how conditions determine productivity.

Karl Marx related labor to a private property whereby laborers are deprived off their property through alienated labor. He focused on the idea that men benefit themselves through the production made by the labor of the others, which is made possible through enslaving them (Marx & Engels, 1970). Similarly, Ehrenreich and Fuentes focused on how third world workers are used and later laid off. For example, in American countries, a worker earns $3 - $5 per hour whereas a worker in third world countries may earn the same in a day. The developed countries, therefore, prefer investing in third world countries where labor is adequate work, but the pay is low.

Moreover, Karl Marx pointed out that an individual’s nature is largely dependent on the conditions that determine his or her production (Marx & Engels, 1970). These conditions determine the productivity of human beings and distinguish them from animals since they materialize life. However, according to Ehrenreich and Fuentes, women are productive even in adverse working conditions. Women in third world countries perform tedious work in meticulous ways. This has seen many women being recruited in the labor-intensive process.

Conclusively, Karl Marx, Ehrenreich and Fuentes have a similar description of labor in which they focus on how laborers are exploited in benefit to the capitalists that provide jobs. However, they differ in conditions that determine productivity in work. All in all, the decision to apply or follow either of their notions lies with the affected parties.

Reference

Marx, K., & Engels, F. (1970). The German Ideology: Part One. C.J. Arthur, ed. New York:

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