- cross-posted to:
- mop@quokk.au
- cross-posted to:
- mop@quokk.au
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Explanation: In Marxist theory, surplus value is (basically) the difference between a firm’s gross profits and the pay of the workers. In a capitalist system, much of this surplus value is captured by, well, capitalists - the investors and business-owners - leaving the workers with only relative crumbs compared to what they’ve labored to create.
The Soviet Union, coming to power after overthrowing a democratic socialist regime in Russia, was nominally Marxist, and exploited Soviet workers to a horrific degree.
They didn’t get to keep the surplus value.
How were those workers exploited?
About the same as in a capitalist regime. Low purchasing power distributed to workers, large amounts of surplus value taken for the purposes of the frivolous expenses of the elite without any input from the workers, low safety standards to keep operating costs low, high mandatory or near-mandatory working hours, etc etc etc etc.
I see, I guess that’s a weakpoint of any centralized system
Less an issue of centralization, more an issue of unaccountability. Centralized systems are often slow to respond to changing circumstances, but abuses are predicated on severe power imbalances which make it difficult for the victims to retaliate against wrongdoing by the perpetrators.
Let’s be honest here. One could post a Poland Ball comic here every day, possibly every hour, and never run out of things to post.
That’s why it’s called Polandball and not Belgiumball
