May Day, a day of liberation, a day that signifies the strength and unity of the working class still has an enormous significance even in the 21st Century.
Starting from the medieval period till the industrial era, there was one mass of humanity which had no identity or recognition but had to toil day in and day out to produce what the feudal lords wished for. Often subject to violence and exploitation, this crucial mass of people surprisingly made up the majority of the population. Till such day when the voices of Karl Mark and Marks Angels were heard, they had no face or voice.
Due credit must be given to messieurs Marks and Angels, who created the powerful labour class, gave them an identity, united them against the exploitation and lent them a voice to raise against the tyranny of the ruling classes. With this new identity, they united and revolted against the ruling classes and fought for their rights. This class struggle had some favorable outcomes. Labour laws for example were enforced. Child labour was prohibited and safety measures were stipulated. All in all, the labour class was being treated with dignity and respect.
The reason this becomes relevant even now is because the capitalist economy still looks to exploit the working class often tinkering with the labour laws itself. Look at Wal-Mart for example or look at China or go the dingy slums in Dharavi in Mumbai; there lives a set of impoverished people who still battle against the inhuman world every day to survive. The only hope to these people is government and public policy. They are entirely dependent on the egalitarian state policy, waiting for the government to help their cause. Thanks to democracy and their large numbers, politicians if not for anything else, include them in their agenda for political reasons.
There is a small corollary however that needs to be properly understood. The government ought to create equal opportunity rather than equal wealth. It ought to help them lead a better life by providing them with more opportunities to grow. Not by disbursing freebies.
Starting from the medieval period till the industrial era, there was one mass of humanity which had no identity or recognition but had to toil day in and day out to produce what the feudal lords wished for. Often subject to violence and exploitation, this crucial mass of people surprisingly made up the majority of the population. Till such day when the voices of Karl Mark and Marks Angels were heard, they had no face or voice.
Due credit must be given to messieurs Marks and Angels, who created the powerful labour class, gave them an identity, united them against the exploitation and lent them a voice to raise against the tyranny of the ruling classes. With this new identity, they united and revolted against the ruling classes and fought for their rights. This class struggle had some favorable outcomes. Labour laws for example were enforced. Child labour was prohibited and safety measures were stipulated. All in all, the labour class was being treated with dignity and respect.
The reason this becomes relevant even now is because the capitalist economy still looks to exploit the working class often tinkering with the labour laws itself. Look at Wal-Mart for example or look at China or go the dingy slums in Dharavi in Mumbai; there lives a set of impoverished people who still battle against the inhuman world every day to survive. The only hope to these people is government and public policy. They are entirely dependent on the egalitarian state policy, waiting for the government to help their cause. Thanks to democracy and their large numbers, politicians if not for anything else, include them in their agenda for political reasons.
There is a small corollary however that needs to be properly understood. The government ought to create equal opportunity rather than equal wealth. It ought to help them lead a better life by providing them with more opportunities to grow. Not by disbursing freebies.
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