Re: Origins of the term wage slavery

[Ellen Dannin [EMAIL PROTECTED]]

On Wed, 22 Oct 1997, William S. Lear wrote:

 Can anyone fill me in on the origins of the term "wage slavery"?
 
I can't fill you in on its origins, but there is a great example of the
comparisons you made in the 1960's movie "Burn" or "Quemado" starring a
thin Marlon Brando with a British accent. A must-see on all accounts.

Ellen

Ellen J. Dannin
California Western School of Law
225 Cedar Street
San Diego, CA  92101
Phone:  619-525-1449
Fax:619-696-

Origins of the term wage slavery

[William S. Lear]

Can anyone fill me in on the origins of the term "wage slavery"?

I made a comment including this term to describe capitalist
relations, eliciting the ire of a co-worker.  I ad-libbed a bit and
explained that the term slave, according to the dictionary, means "one
who is bound in servitude to another".  I reasoned that the difference
between wage slavery and chattel slavery was merely the mechanism of
binding one to another: rent in the former case, outright purchase in
the latter.  I concluded that despite his distaste for the term,
working for a wage was indeed a form of slavery.

Any help on the origins of the term, or opinions on my conclusions
much appreciated.


Bill