Sociologia do Trabalho: Karl Marx e o que é Mais-Valia [2/4]

Summary

This video explains Karl Marx's theory of surplus value, a crucial concept in Marxist economics. It details how workers sell their labor to capitalists, but the value they create exceeds their wages, with the surplus value going to the capitalist. Marx divides surplus value into two types: absolute, generated by extended working hours, and relative, produced by technological advancements that increase productivity. The video illustrates these concepts with examples from the industrial era and modern workplaces, demonstrating the ongoing exploitation of labor in capitalist systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Karl Marx's theory of surplus value focuses on understanding the process of labor and its role in economic systems, especially during industrial revolutions.
• 😀 Surplus value is the difference between the value produced by labor and the wages the worker receives for their labor.
• 😀 The theory emphasizes that workers sell their labor power to the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) in exchange for wages, which don't reflect the total value they produce.
• 😀 Labor consists of three key elements: the worker's labor power, the object of work (raw material), and the means of production (e.g., factories, machines).
• 😀 Workers transform raw materials into goods, creating value through their labor, but the profits generated do not return to them.
• 😀 The bourgeoisie, who control the means of production, profit from the surplus value produced by the workers.
• 😀 Marx divides surplus value into two types: absolute surplus value (more hours of labor) and relative surplus value (increased productivity through technology).
• 😀 Absolute surplus value refers to longer work hours without a corresponding increase in wages, benefiting the bourgeoisie.
• 😀 Relative surplus value is achieved by using technology to increase worker productivity, allowing workers to generate more value in less time.
• 😀 An example of relative surplus value can be seen in industrial automation, like the assembly line in Charlie Chaplin's 'Modern Times,' where workers become more productive while still being paid fixed wages.
• 😀 Surplus value can also be understood in modern workplaces, like call centers, where workers generate profit through targets and efficiency, yet their wages are disconnected from the value they create.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'mais-valia' (surplus value) discussed in the transcript?

Mais-valia (surplus value) is a theory introduced by Karl Marx, which analyzes the relationship between workers and capitalists. It refers to the excess value produced by the worker that is not returned to them as compensation, but instead is appropriated by the capitalist (owner of the means of production).

How is 'mais-valia' related to the labor process?

The theory of 'mais-valia' is connected to the labor process as it explains how the value created by the worker, through transforming raw materials into finished goods, generates surplus value. This surplus value is what the worker does not receive in wages but is instead taken by the capitalist as profit.

What are the three key elements in the labor process described in the video?

The three key elements of the labor process are: 1) Labor power, which is the worker's ability to perform work and generate value; 2) The object of labor, which is the raw material being transformed into a product; and 3) The means of production, which are the tools, machinery, and facilities controlled by the capitalist.

What role do the capitalist (burguesia) and worker (proletariado) play in the labor process?

The capitalist owns the means of production and hires workers to produce goods. The worker, on the other hand, sells their labor power in exchange for a wage. The relationship between these two classes is at the core of Marx’s analysis of exploitation and surplus value.

Why does the worker only receive a salary and not the profit generated from their work?

The worker receives only a salary because the value created by their labor is greater than their wage. The surplus value, which represents the difference between the value of what they produce and what they are paid, is appropriated by the capitalist as profit.

What is the difference between absolute surplus value and relative surplus value?

Absolute surplus value refers to the increased work hours the worker is required to work without additional pay, while relative surplus value involves increasing productivity through technological advancements, allowing the worker to produce more value in less time.

How does technology influence the production of surplus value?

Technology influences surplus value production by improving efficiency and reducing the time required for workers to produce goods. This can result in relative surplus value, where workers still generate significant profit for capitalists, even though their working hours may be reduced.

What is an example of relative surplus value, as discussed in the transcript?

An example of relative surplus value is the use of machines in the industrial process. For instance, a worker operating a machine in a factory increases productivity, which results in more goods being produced with fewer working hours, but the capitalist still profits from the surplus value generated.

How does the movie 'Modern Times' relate to the concept of relative surplus value?

In 'Modern Times' by Charlie Chaplin, the character operates a fast-paced assembly line, producing many items in a short time. This reflects the concept of relative surplus value, as the worker is using machinery to increase productivity, generating more profit for the capitalist without increasing the worker’s hours.

What does the speaker hope the audience will take away from this explanation of 'mais-valia'?

The speaker hopes the audience will better understand the concept of 'mais-valia' and how it relates to the exploitation of workers. They encourage viewers to engage with the topic by watching more videos, subscribing to the channel, and sharing the information with others.