Deprivation
and destitution in
the midst of plenty, is the hallmark of the capitalist system of
production. The tremendous power of social production produces goods
far beyond the realms of our imagination. Wealth exists in this World
in abundance. But the distribution of this wealth proceeds according
to the social relations of society. These are capitalist relations,
resting upon the capitalist ownership and control of the means of
production. Ours is a class society and as such even under the plans
of Bernie Sanders or Jeremy Corbyn these relations would remain, only
the wealth would be redistributed by cutting the big fortunes and
adding to the smaller ones or giving to those that have none. But
this is impossible under capitalism since the ownership and control
of the means of production determines the form of distribution of all
wealth. So far this has meant and can only mean ever greater riches
for the parasites and ever greater impoverishment for those who toil,
who have nothing but their labour power to sell – and to sell only
when the bosses see fit to buy.
What
is the cause of inequality? It is the ownership and control of the
means of production. This system secures the right to exploit labour
by leaving in the hands of the capitalist class also the ownership of
the surplus value produced by the labourer over and above what
received as wages. This is how profits are acquired. Moreover, under
the conditions of mass production, and in order to continue the
process of production. In other words, sufficient only for their bare
upkeep when they have jobs. Of course, the abundance of wealth
available could easily guarantee to each family, as reformers
proposes. But this is impossible under the profit system. Corbyn and
Sanders grandly proclaim for the redistribution of wealth; but are
equally vocal in the pronouncements for the maintenance of the
present social order, the continuation of the right to exploitation
so that returns to shareholders in the form of unearned incomes may
continue; so that dividends on stocks may be paid of profits taken
out of the exploitation of labour which they guarantee to proceed
uninterrupted. This is but the attempted stabilisation of the system
of exploitation. To stabilise capitalism means to stabilise the
political and economic power of the class that owns and controls the
means of production. They will not consent to any compulsory
redistribution of their wealth. They do not even permit the workers
to organise into unions so as to obtain a living wage without the
most stubborn resistance. They will not yield their economic power,
or surrender their accumulated wealth, nor give up their privilege to
exploit labour. They'll use their power to determine who can be
elected to the public offices and to dictate the policies and their
its execution by the government, as well.
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