The U.S.’ economic model of capitalism allows for the laws of supply and demand to set fair prices in industries, and vast competition keeps prices low and allows for efficient production. But as one looks closer into the depths and history of capitalism in the U.S., you might start to notice the disturbing trend that capitalism is a game with clear-cut winners and losers. The individuals that bear the loss of capitalism are not found overseas in foreign countries in trade organizations; they are citizens here on American soil. Since before the country was revolutionized, capitalistic rhetoric has been employed and embraced throughout American society.
There is an uneasy surmise of capitalism that Silvia Federici identifies in her book Caliban and the Witch, that states the proliferation of capital accumulation in the beginning days of capitalism functioned as an underlying root characteristic of capitalism. In other words, capitalism could not have been profitable without the abuse and exploitation of certain groups of individuals.
Capitalism first preyed on women in the late 1600s during the Salem Witch Trials when white men deprived women of their sanity by unlawfully claiming they were devil worshipers. The trials that ensued were cornerstones for recognizing the importance and duty of due process in American courts. The trials were essentially the bedrock for the exploitation of women’s reproductive labor, and resulted in them being socially unequal to men in both labor markets as well as social settings. Once women were determined home dwellers by capitalistic society, capitalism was able to accumulate capital at great lengths due to the often abused placement of women within society.
The exploitation of women through their reproductive labor was what got the ball of capitalism rolling in early U.S. history; as time went on, women began to fight for social rights and the freedom to vote. In the modern day, women are still struggling to fight for equal pay rates. Out of the 193 nations that make up the U.N., only eight do not offer paid maternity leave for their citizens and the U.S. is one of them. Our unwillingness to offer gratitude and protect our workers with basic economic stability in natural times of need showcases our government's inability to recognize the duty of ensuring productivity and economic stability for our workers.
During the slavery era, white families owned and ran industries profiting off the unpaid slave labor of African Americans in the open markets. According to the NAACP, African-American men are incarcerated at five times the rate of white men while African-American women are incarcerated at twice the rate of white women. Since the days of slavery, African-Americans have gained the right to vote, overcame the obstacle of social segregation and have constantly been embracing the fight against the social injustice of non-whites. As capitalism will undoubtedly continue to progress into the future of America, society will continue to hold its prey hostage while waiting for the proliferation of capital accumulation to find its new host. As we see the fight for social equalities for women and non-whites increase the question will arise, who is going to be the new loser for the game of capitalism now?
As the continuation of corporate mergers and buy backs on the stock market increase, and the culture of big business in America is continually backed by U.S. government policies like the Trump administration tax cuts, we are entering an era of economic uncertainty for the average American. When women are granted equal pay and blacks are not being discriminated against and incarcerated at unproportional rates compared to whites, the likely victim of capitalism will be the average U.S. citizen. As the influence big businesses is taking control of our government's agenda and intentions, we will likely see a rise in the accumulation of wealth for households that are well above the average incomes of the majority of U.S. citizens.
The proliferation of capital accumulation took root centuries ago in our country; but over time, capitalism has proved its innate ability to reconstruct itself into a tool of exploitation for many different individuals in society. Of our uncertain future, one thing is known for sure: Under the capitalistic system, the proliferation of capital accumulation will never come as a cost to the wealthy community of America.
Nick Shook is a senior studying political science pre-law at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What do you think of capitalism's development in the U.S.? Let Nick know by emailing him at ns258814@ohio.edu.
