How Capital Tames Labor Power: A Foucaultian Powerism Interpretation of Marx’s Capital
Wu Yile1, Chen Jiaming2
1.School of Marxism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China 2.School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Abstract：The relationship between capital and power has long been studied in the academia. However, there are still several unanswered questions about capital power in Marx’s Capital. These include what factors enable capital to gain power, why workers submit to labor control, the role of capital power outside productive labor, how capital subdues workers’ bodies and minds, how it punishes disobedient workers, and the extent to which capital power is successful. To answer these questions, Foucault’s theory of power is an important reference for Marx’s theory of capital power. Foucault’s interpretation of Marx’s Capital emphasizes the power perspective, deepens our understanding of the capitalist mode of production, and helps us explore the key issue of “how capital tames labor” in Marx’s theory of capital power.Foucault’s interpretation of Marx has three key propositions. First, collaborative labor is essential for capital to obtain power. The production mode of collective force and collaborative labor force workers to accept the control of capital power, enabling the bourgeoisie to gain power. The power of capital to dominate labor is continually increasing, and the dependence of workers on capital is also deepening. Second, discipline is the technical system for capital power to obtain and tame the body. The capitalist mode of production has created new demands that can be achieved by discipline. According to Marx, capital relies on power to regulate and control the production of labour. Foucault introduced the term “discipline” to explain how this power is manifested and implemented, revealing how it is embedded in the society. The disciplinary society described by Foucault is present in Marx’s capitalist society. Through a series of technologies, the bourgeoisie can directly or indirectly control the body and actions of workers, ultimately serving the purpose of capital accumulation. Third, capital power pursues the sustained and stable supply of labor. Power relies on the policy of industrial reserve forces to accumulate a continuous stream of labor force, to achieve comprehensive supervision of people, eliminate interference with capitalist production through the punishment of illegal activities. By regulating population and life, capital power can be successfully implemented and continued.Foucault’s criticism of capital power is based on the achievements of Marxist political economy. By depicting the changes in power technology forms and observing the changes in the relationship between individuals and power in detail, Foucault’s interpretation of power broadens our understanding of the power theory in Capital. It is important to understand the differences between Foucault and Marx’s approaches. Foucault’s study is characterized by “problematization”. He is skilled at identifying problems but not so much at addressing them. Foucault avoids holistic thinking and instead focuses on specific object domains to gain insight into the individual’s experience in power relations. He ultimately turns to a survival aesthetic of “care of the self”. On the other hand, Marx examines the effectiveness of capital power from a global perspective of production system and social class. Starting from the materialist view of history, Marx believes that human activities can consciously transform social structures. He points out the path of confronting and transcending alienation. Through an examination of the foundational ideas behind Marx’s views on capital power and Foucault’s interpretation of them, we can gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental characteristics and operational dynamics of capital power. Over time, capital power has taken on various new forms, including financial power, technological power, algorithmic power, and more. These are various manifestations of capital power but have not deviated from or changed the essential attributes of capital power. We must explore ways to avoid turning humans into machines in the form of power control, which requires good institutional design. It is also the fundamental significance of studying the issue of capital power.
2024, Vol. 54 
