Wage slavery - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Wage slavery, a phrase freighted with historical significance and enduring controversy, describes a condition in which a person's livelihood depends on wages or a salary, especially when the terms of employment are exploitative or unjust; is it merely a critical perspective on labor, or a condemnation of an economic system?
The term "wage slave" appears as early as 1835, used by Orestes Brownson, a transcendentalist, social reformer, and labor activist who wrote about it in his essay "The Laboring Classes". This early usage coincided with the rise of industrial capitalism and the transformation of labor markets. Prominent voices like those of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson have historically informed the conversation with thoughts about liberty and property, while Karl Marx would later scrutinize labor's inherent power dynamics. The backdrop was an era of rapid social and economic change, sparking intense debates about fairness, exploitation, and the very nature of freedom. Did the rise of factories and wage labor truly liberate individuals, or did it create a new form of unfreedom? These foundational debates continue to resonate in modern discussions about work, equality, and economic justice. Many of these arguments are addressed in moral philosophy and studies of ethics. Philosophical argument and analysis of valid argument are essential to sorting fact from fiction.
Interpretations of wage slavery have shifted dramatically, influenced by figures like Friedrich Engels and movements such as the labor movement and socialism. The American Civil War, with its stark contrast between chattel slavery and wage labor, provided fertile ground for exploring the nuances of freedom and coercion. The phrase became a powerful rallying cry for those seeking better working conditions, fair wages, and worker empowerment. The Industrial Revolution, while bringing unprecedented prosperity, also created vast inequalities and new forms of social control. Is it possible that advances in cognitive science of morality could have helped those caught in this trap? Might the famous wason test show evidence of this fact? Moral reasoning is also helpful when considering this complex subject.
The legacy of "wage slavery" persists in contemporary debates about income inequality, precarious work, and the power dynamics of the global economy. While the term has largely faded from academic discourse, it continues to appear in activist circles and online forums, often serving as a critique of neoliberal capitalism and the gig economy. The phrase often resonates with contemporary discussions about workers' rights and economic justice, embodying the enduring tension between individual liberty and economic necessity. To what extent does a worker's dependence on wages equate to a loss of autonomy akin to historical forms of slavery and how can we improve fairness test design? Can studying the history of "wage slavery" provide crucial insights into the challenges we face in creating a just and equitable society, one more in alignment with virtue ethics and deontology?