Foxcoon suicides
Looking back to the year 2010, the most striking event wasn't the release of Iphone 4, either wasn't the Winter Olympic in Vancouver. It is the Foxconn suicides event. Throughout the whole year, up to 15 persons attempted suicides by falling from the building. In one short period of May, 7 persons committed suicides. All year round, people discussed and argued about this event. What caused this bloody result? As Marx may argue, alienation should be the main cause of all. The current situation at that time was that, workers in Foxconn received low salaries for up to 12 hours work everyday. They were living under the strict management and in a poor condition. They were managed to wake up and go to bed at the exact time. Even if there were lots of people working together, doing the same activities everyday, everyone was still detached because they barely communicated with each other. Completing the repeating task numbed their nerve. They didn't enjoy much entertainment; even romantic relationship was forbidden. Are they still human? As Marx will possibly ask. They were deprived of the attention of themselves, of others.They were producing the most popular, high-tech and fancy electronic device, but they themselves cannot afford it. How ruthless and pathetic it is.
Above is the link of a photo project by German -born photographer, Michael Wolf. He depicted people's lives in Chinese toy factory and the subtle relationship between toy and workers. Look at these pictures, in their hands these workers are holding the most playful and beautiful thing in the world, toys, the dream of all children, with a blank, rigid and detached look in their faces. Such a remarkable contrast! Here is the phone that shock me the most. Photo What do you think they look like? Human? No, I believe a line of slave with a guardian seems to be a more appropriate way of describing. What's in their minds? I am curious.
As a lot of us may argue, accumulation of capitalism boosts the development of economic and science. It seems that socialism do no good to the whole society. However, I still wonder, when we actually are in the midstream of the water, enjoying the innovation, convenience and improvement by capitalism, what's the life in the downstream?
Jia,
ReplyDeleteMills mentions theorists who claim that Europe's economic development through capitalism was dependent upon colonialism and slave labor. Based on what you write here you might agree that this is currently happening today. Capitalism needs to have an underclass. Is this correct?
Yes that's what I claim. The reason why western countries can flourish upon capitalism is that factories are shifted to developing countries, by which western countries can focus on developing services industries rather than manufactures industries. Thereby, here the manufactures industries is an underclass by all means.
DeleteAs Marx would (hesitantly) agree to, it is definitely important and almost imperative to begin with a capitalist society before anything like socialism can be attained. The question is, particularly for developed western countries, which is more sustainable and beneficial to the population: the capitalist means of production with a consistent manufacturing class of the lower rung, or rather one that is more inclusive for all workers?
DeleteJia,
ReplyDeleteMills mentions theorists who claim that Europe's economic development through capitalism was dependent upon colonialism and slave labor. Based on what you write here you might agree that this is currently happening today. Capitalism needs to have an underclass. Is this correct?
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ReplyDeleteMany people do not recognize the cheap labor in countries like China, India, etc. as problematic based on the assumption that they have to go through such process in order for their economy to grow. Furthermore, if the economy is really becoming more stable and experiences growth, it does not matter that wealth is not distributed equally. What do you think about this? Do you think it is possible to put an end to this issue and if yes, in what way can these countries continue the development of their economy?
ReplyDeleteI am shocked by these photos...however I think the situation is better now as their conditions were noticed and improved. Still, working in a Chinese toy factory is still a very undesirable job.
ReplyDeleteHowever, even they seem to be undesirable for people who enjoy better living condition like you and me, these jobs actually improve some of their and their families' living conditions. Many of them are from poor areas such as mountainous towns. To many of them, working in a coastal area means a stable and considerable income and a better living condition.
Anyway, I think it is inevitable to have a low-income class that does the undesirable jobs during the accumulation of capitals in capitalism. But it does not mean they have to stuck in this class for their lives or even generations. Because, what if the toys they make is unwanted anymore? Or what if some of their capacities are way beyond their jobs? The government has to help them learn new skills through social programs and help them to gain more "positive freedom" for better lives in their future.