• rothaine@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Huh. You’d think the cotton gin would’ve allowed them to get by with fewer slaves.

    • rambling_lunatic@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      That would’ve maintained production at the level it already was (and also reduce prices and profits).

      Under capitalism, you can’t just maintain production. You gotta EXPAND EXPAND EXPAND.

        • rambling_lunatic@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          You don’t have to subscribe to Marxian economics for this to be true, though Marx and those who listened to him are the only people who dwell on the topic for long.

          Part #1 of my statement is pretty much self-evident. Part #2 is the very premise of market competition, no?

          • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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            1 year ago

            You don’t have to, no, but Marx makes a compelling case and explains it simply, and thoroughly. It’s easy to think that Capitalists can just maintain production, but this doesn’t bear out in reality.

            Additionally, Marx points out what are the necessary consequences of these forces.

            • rambling_lunatic@sh.itjust.works
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              1 year ago

              I agree, but quoting Marx is a little counterproductive when the audience is primarily not socialist and, indeed, might be apprehensive towards the concept due to the Leninist dictatorships and Western corporate propaganda.

              • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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                1 year ago

                Lemmy has a very strong leftist base, especially Marxist as the devs are Marxist-Leninists, and there are many progressive liberals who would do well to read theory. I disagree with it being counterproductive to suggest reading Marx.

                • rambling_lunatic@sh.itjust.works
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                  1 year ago

                  The tankies over on Lemmygrad and Hexbear (aka the Dessalines and people like him) have very much left (heh) a very sour taste in the mouths of many locals.

                  • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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                    1 year ago

                    Some Lemmy users are against leftism, sure, but the majority of Lemmy is Leftist leaning at minimum. That’s kind of the entire point of Lemmy’s structure, and the broader culture has morphed around that fact.