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An analysis of Capitalism - ComradeMambo - 03-26-2026
Capitalism is defined by the private ownership of the means of production, which divides society into two main classes, the Capitalists and the Workers. This creates an imbalance, as the Capitalists own the means of production and are given near-total free reign to exploit labor and extract profit from the labor of others. Of course, Workers ARE paid wages (in most cases), but their value production exceeds their wages in all examples of capitalism.
This creates alienation, in which does the worker become separated in 4 main ways.
1. They do not own the product they produce, therefore alienating the actual product from the producer.
2. They are put into repetitive labor that is strictly controlled by an exploitative upper class.
3. They are alienated from their species-being, in which they are separated from their creative human potential and become a cog in the machine.
4. They are alienated from their fellow worker, as the cooperation of labor is replaced with competition.
The capitalist system as well creates commodities for exchange rather than for use. Social relations are therefore seen as relations between object commodities (this is when the interaction of people is commodified and turned into a form of social capital). As for the value of commodity, it is presented as inherent to the object rather than the actual labor it takes to produce (Take for example objects with no inherent use but are produced to make profit.) This separates the worker yet further from their labor, as it is no longer their labor that determines the value, but the perceived social value.
This further creates accumulation and inequality, as capitalism requires the Capitalist to constantly accumulate more capital, therefore accumulating more wealth. This causes wealth to accumulate into fewer hands as time goes on (see Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerburg, Jeffery Bezos), and this creates further inequality in the buying power and production acquisition-ability of the worker. This causes smaller producers to be driven out of competition, as monopolies and oligopolies form to dominate markets. This is said as inequality is a natural outcome, not that of human error or accident.
Capitalism is bound to crisis, as seen every couple years; when there is another stock market crash, another bubble bursting, and the sort. Overproduction is one of the lead causes, where there is more production than demand, causing waste and the reduction of purchasing power for the average worker. This causes a falling rate of profit over time, which further pushes financial speculation bubbles and crashes.
History has been driven by a struggle between exploiters and exploited, as seen with the abolition of feudalism by the Capitalist class. Capitalism is another extension of struggle, this time between the Workers and Capitalists, where we can see the active suppression of consciousness about class relations. This awareness of class relations and the position of the workers develops as the contradictions of capitalism become more apparent.
Capitalism in a natural extension leads to imperialism, which is a form of capitalism seen in places like Russia, the United States, or China. As monopolies form and dominate markets, they seek to export their capital (assets) rather than their products to the underdeveloped or subjugated lands to open new markets, extract raw materials, and exploit cheap labor. This is most commonly seen in the global south and post-colonial nations.
Ideology is influenced by capitalism, as the dominant ideas of society are reflective of the interests of the ruling class (as of now Capitalists), in which there are institutions, such as media and forms of education meant to reproduce capitalism. These institutions are absolutely influenced, as seen in the news, where they accept advertiser money, which most certainly will tip their view of capitalism in a more favorable direction. Media and education are also commodified (News Networks, Private schools, and entertainment production networks).
Capitalism was historically progressive, insofar as advancement beyond feudalism. As this progressiveness became the norm, it became conservative, and reactionary. seeking to maintain itself and reproduce infinitely, capitalism destroys the world, as infinite accumulation is impossible with finite resources. contradictions arise between human nature to socialize and cooperate clash with the monotony of owned labor and private property. These prove capitalism is historically temporary, not a permanent form of existence and reality for the Workers.