The Jewnited States
Superstar
David McNally and Clara Mattei discussing the intricate relationship between capitalism and slavery.
Here are the key takeaways from the discussion:
- Challenging the Myth of Capitalism and Freedom [01:49]: David McNally argues against the idea that capitalism is distinct from slavery and a realm of freedom. He asserts that the slave plantations of the Atlantic world were highly profitable capitalist enterprises, foundational to the growth of the capitalist world system.
- Slavery as Capitalist Labor [02:19]: McNally emphasizes that slaves were a form of working class, struggling to preserve their lives against the extraction of capital by their masters. He challenges the notion of reducing slaves to mere property, highlighting their "living labor" as the source of wealth.
- The Untrue Nature of Oppressive Societies [03:20]: Any society built on oppression is inherently untrue and a violation of human dignity and equality. Therefore, truth cannot be on the side of the oppressors.
- Capitalism's Coercive Nature [05:27]: The discussion suggests that capitalism inherently involves different forms of coercion, with chattel slavery being the most brutal. Even in modern capitalist societies, labor is seen as unfree, with systemic pressures enforcing exploitative behavior.
- Self-Emancipation and Resistance [06:54]: A central point is that the end of slavery in the New World was driven by the organized and powerful resistance of enslaved people. Examples include the 1831 strike of 30,000 enslaved people in Jamaica and the "general strike of the slaves" during the American Civil War, as noted by W.E.B. Du Bois.
- Reclaiming Time as Freedom [13:05]: Enslaved people consistently fought to reclaim their time, whether through slowing down work, fleeing plantations, or organizing for fewer work hours. This act of reclaiming time is framed as reclaiming life and freedom from external control.
- Systemic Exploitation vs. "Bad Apples" [18:18]: Clara Mattei and David McNally discuss how the oppressive actions within capitalism are not merely due to "bad masters" or individuals, but are enforced by the system itself. The competitive nature of capitalism compels businesses to exploit labor to remain profitable.
- Modern Compulsion and Austerity [22:36]: The conversation draws parallels between the direct compulsion of slavery and the "impersonal" economic compulsion faced by modern workers through market dependence. Austerity measures are presented as state interventions that maintain this market dependence by shifting resources away from working people.
- The Role of the People in Change [29:15]: Michelle, an Oklahoma House Representative, emphasizes that government institutions, benefiting from the current system, have no incentive to correct themselves. Therefore, change must come from the pressure and engagement of the people.
- Defunding Public Services and Autonomy [37:27]: Michelle discusses how defunding public services like schooling, particularly in areas like Tulsa, undermines the autonomy of working-class people. This systemic defunding exacerbates inequities and disinvests communities.
- Solidarity as the Antidote to Fear [55:45]: The speakers conclude by highlighting that solidarity and community are the most powerful antidotes to the fear instilled by dominant powers. They reiterate that ordinary, working-class people, acting together, have historically changed the world and can do so again.
I am not enough of an expert to have any idea of how rigorously these ideas have been vetted by the experts in this field of thought but i can't really find fault with the logic and argument of what they are saying
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