China Is Not Socialist; A Thread - "Socialist" Profit
All those who claim that China is socialist will argue that - while it's true that Chinese enterprises are privately owned and exploitation occurs - the profit generated in these enterprises is used to benefit the people...
All those who claim that China is socialist will argue that - while it's true that Chinese enterprises are privately owned and exploitation occurs - the profit generated in these enterprises is used to benefit the people...
But does this claim have any basis in reality? Can profit be socislist? What even is profit?
Under any social system beyond that of primitive communism, humans engaged in labour create, in a particular period of labour- more value than that is required for the subsistence of...
Under any social system beyond that of primitive communism, humans engaged in labour create, in a particular period of labour- more value than that is required for the subsistence of...
Himself in that period of time. This is "surplus produce" in the sense that its produce
"..beyond the indispensable needs of the direct producer" [1]
This - Marx calls,
"..the surplus product" [2]
And the labour used to produce this surplus product,
"...surplus labour." [3]
"..beyond the indispensable needs of the direct producer" [1]
This - Marx calls,
"..the surplus product" [2]
And the labour used to produce this surplus product,
"...surplus labour." [3]
Marx holds that until socialism has been achieved, this surplus product is appropriated by an exploiting class which owns the means of production. Consequently, surplus labour becomes unpaid labour.
Marx states...
Marx states...
"This surplus above the indispensable requirements of life.. is unpaid surplus labour for the 'owner' of the means of production." [4]
Social systems based on exploitation differ essentially by the way the surplus product is extracted from the worker. In the case of...
Social systems based on exploitation differ essentially by the way the surplus product is extracted from the worker. In the case of...
Capitalist - that is bourgeois production, "free" workers sell their labour power as a commodity- and ONLY THEN - Marx uses the term "surplus value" to denote the product of surplus labour.
"Surplus value presupposes capitalistic production." [5]
Consequently...
"Surplus value presupposes capitalistic production." [5]
Consequently...
Marx equates profit with surplus value.
"Profit... is the same as surplus value. Surplus value and profit are actually the same thing and are numerically equal." [6]
Now, let us look at an actual socialist society... the Soviet Union (1930s - 1956)
"Profit... is the same as surplus value. Surplus value and profit are actually the same thing and are numerically equal." [6]
Now, let us look at an actual socialist society... the Soviet Union (1930s - 1956)
In a socialist society, the people collectively own the means of production. They do not therefore produce surplus value which is appropriated by another class. Rather, the working people assess, through state planning organs which they control, the value of...
"Total social product." [7]
And through these organs, decide on the social deductions they wish to make from it.
The social deductions comprise;
"Cover for replacement of the means of production used up;
...additional portion for expansion of production (reinvestment)
And through these organs, decide on the social deductions they wish to make from it.
The social deductions comprise;
"Cover for replacement of the means of production used up;
...additional portion for expansion of production (reinvestment)
reserve of insurance fund to provide against disturbances through natural events etc...
.... the general cost of administration not belonging to production.
...that which is destined for communal satisfaction of needs - schools, health services, etc;
And finally,
.... the general cost of administration not belonging to production.
...that which is destined for communal satisfaction of needs - schools, health services, etc;
And finally,
...funds for those unable to work." [8]
The balance of the social product that remains after these deductions constitutes the wage fund, representing part of the social product which the working people receive individually and directly.
So what happens in China?
The balance of the social product that remains after these deductions constitutes the wage fund, representing part of the social product which the working people receive individually and directly.
So what happens in China?
In China, labour power is a commodity, surplus value is extracted from the workers and reinvested back into the blood sucking vampire- capital. The working people are deprived from the means of production and consequently forced to sell labour power.
We have however...
We have however...
Saw from Marx, as shown above - that surplus value can not exist in a socialist society.
I consider this talking point debunked!
I consider this talking point debunked!
SOURCES FOR THE QUOTES;
1. K. MARX - VOL 3. p. 795
2. Ibid
3. ibid, p. 700
4. ibid p. 790
5. K. MARX - VOL 1 p. 209
6. K. MARX - VOL 3 p. 36, 46
7. K. MARX - CRITIQUE OF GOTHA PROGRAMME p.(?)
8. ibid
1. K. MARX - VOL 3. p. 795
2. Ibid
3. ibid, p. 700
4. ibid p. 790
5. K. MARX - VOL 1 p. 209
6. K. MARX - VOL 3 p. 36, 46
7. K. MARX - CRITIQUE OF GOTHA PROGRAMME p.(?)
8. ibid