Professor Trompsky, you said that the current pandemic is the defining moment of capitalism’s moral refinement preparing its coming demise? Could you explain?
Well, uhm, we see that more and more people are pushed towards precarious jobs with no security whatsoever and more importantly devoid of any real interaction with their peers. That, you know, forces them to beg for work they don’t really want to do, often from behind their screens in their own homes. Yet they keep doing it, and the entire system is banking on it that they do. Why is that?
I don’t, I mean I…
Well, it’s rather trivial. They fear destitution, is the obvious answer. But they did that before too. What is new now is they are alone. No unions. No-one to remind them why it is wise that they stay on, no-one but themselves. And who fails at motivating themselves, will fail at their job.
The work they do is of course unnecessary, that is a threshold we crossed a long time ago. But the requirement for self-motivations is new. It spawned an entire industry, as you know.
Professor, how does this lead to the downfall of capitalism?
Well, uhm, look, the physical coercion is replaced by self-coercion, in other words moral force. And that is much more volatile depending on the political sphere. We will see a lot of populist on the left compelling workers to demand meaningful work.
That sounds like a good thing?
Yes, certainly, but it is driving a stake in the heart of capitalism. Such a demand can only be met with a policy that reverses the tendencies we see today. The only meaning capitalism has to offer is money, so it should start there. And I don’t see how that is possible without cooperatives and worker ownership.
But is still require a revolution?
Oh, it will be a silent one, these populists will not call for an uprising but facilitate the proliferation of worker owned industries, sucking up all labor and so crippling the old capitalist bodies.
Professor Trompsky, insightful as always, we thank you for this interview.
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