The Proletariat as a Commodity: An Explicit Analysis of Labor Power as an Integral Dimension of Capitalist Accumulation

Abstract

This research work provides clear information about the dynamics which are closely related to the labor power in the capitalistic system, questioning its commodification and its archetypical role in the process of capitalistic accumulation. This is based on the proletariat, as a type, who sells its labor power to survive. Through the mechanics of the research through the labor power is commodified and exploited. The main objective of the research is to shed some light on the structures that underlie capitalist accumulation. The study itself is based on the qualitative approach, with Marxism theory as its foundation. The critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the current body literature covering the aspects of labor power, capitalist accumulation, and the proletariat is carried out to identify the subtle manner in which labor power is being commoditized. The main aim of this research is to have an all-rounder feeling of the commodification of labor power and its use in the capitalist system to enable accumulation. The results of the study emphasize the fact that labor power is a very important commodity in the capitalist system and one of the primary factors of capitalist accumulation. The studies reflect the way in which the commodification of labor power is enabled by different mechanisms including, wage suppression, labor flexibilization and destruction of organizational rights of the worker. This research study shows that the proletariat lack of control over its own labor means to live reduces it to a form of exploitation, thus increasing the capitalist mode of production.