LABOUR POWER Meaning and
Definition
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Labour power refers to the physical and mental capabilities possessed by individuals that enable them to perform productive work or labor. It is one of the essential elements of production in capitalism and represents the human capacity to generate value through labor.
In a capitalist system, labour power is treated as a commodity that can be bought and sold in the marketplace. It is distinct from actual labor, which refers to the physical activity or work performed by individuals using their labour power. Labour power is a potentiality or capacity that is transformed into actual labor when employed by capitalists for the production of goods or services.
Labour power is considered an important resource for employers who seek to maximize profits and increase productivity. Workers supply their labour power to employers in exchange for wages, which represent the monetary value of their labour. The value of labour power is determined by several factors, including the average cost of reproducing and maintaining workers' physical and mental well-being, including necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare.
Unlike other commodities, labour power possesses the unique ability to create value through labor. It is this value creation that forms the basis of surplus value, which is appropriated by capitalists as profit. The concept of labour power highlights the central role that human labor plays in capitalist production, its transformation into a commodity, and its exploitation within the capitalist system.
Etymology of LABOUR POWER
The term "labour power" is derived from two separate words: "labour" and "power".
The word "labour" traces its origins back to Old French "labourer" and Latin "labor", both of which referred to physical work or toil. The Latin word "labor" is often associated with the concept of effort and exertion, which eventually evolved into the modern English term "labour".
The word "power" has its roots in Old French "povoir" and Latin "potere", both meaning "to be able" or "to have the ability". Over time, "power" came to encompass the capacity or capability to perform an action or exert influence.
When these terms are combined, "labour power" refers specifically to the ability or capacity to perform work, typically in the context of human labor.
