Capitalism is often credited with all the material wealth and comforts of modern life - as though CEOs and investors are the ones who built our homes, made our clothes, or stocked our shelves. But that story ignores the obvious: it’s the workers who create everything. What capitalism really does is organise labour in a way that siphons the value workers produce into the hands of those who do no labour at all. This piece is a response to that common myth — and a call to reclaim what is already ours.
Why I’m on this topic? Someone told me recently that capitalism got me everything I own and the lifestyle I have. I thought it essential to let them know that they were mistaken.
I replied: “No, labour did. Capitalism didn’t get us anything; it just organised labour in one of many possible ways — a terribly inefficient and inhumane one, mind you.
Did a CEO pour the concrete? Did an investor swing a hammer? Of course not — it was the workers, with their hands, hammers, nails, and mortar. Often, the tools are owned by the worker, but used to do work for the employer! An insult!
It was the workers that built it — but their labour is organised in such a way that they must rent their out their skills - that is, sell their labour - just to survive, getting the scraps of the labour value they produce, whilst most of it goes to the boss. That is how capitalism organises labour and wealth: the worker reaps nil, whilst the capitalist reaps all.
Since the capitalist clearly does no direct labour and siphons the wealth of the many, why should we organise our labour in such a way that benefits them?
We already know how to run the machines. Why not take the next step - unionise, seize control, expel the bosses? History has shown that bosses haven’t always been needed - look at the IVC (Indus Valley Civilisation). During its existence, production didn’t grind to a halt without executives barking orders. On the contrary, workers ran things collectively, efficiently, and with far more regard for each other’s well-being. Decisions were made democratically, labour was shared, and the fruits of that labour were distributed fairly. It proved what we already know deep down: we don’t need bosses - we need each other.
The people who should be in control of society are the people — via means of direct democracy. That is communism.
Communism seeks to organise labour in a way that benefits the common good and is undertaken in a way that gives the worker direct control of their life. The workers should own the means of production — if you work it, you should own it.
No longer should we rely on existing institutions that do naught for us — we should rely on our ability to subvert!”
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