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Institution

Ethical Basis for Human Relationships Necessary to Fight Ongoing Dehumanization of

Humanity Because of Normalization of Global Capitalism

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Formalized in the eighteenth century, capitalism, which remains the world's default

'operating system,' has become widespread throughout the world through globalization. This

concept of capitalism is founded on self-interest, becoming profitable and suitable for only those

who practice it. As a result, capitalism has been blamed for financial crises, such as the Great

Recession, social polarization and growing economic imbalances. Other than the financial crises,

social polarization and economic balance, increasing capitalism, currently evolving precarity

capitalism, is held responsible for the ongoing dehumanization of humanity in our society and

globally. However, the evolution of global capitalism has brought about the age of precarity

capitalism enabled by digitization, which provides an emancipatory potential that can be

leveraged to overcome and subvert the logic of capitalism. While there are dangers associated

with the crisis of global capitalism, the purpose of this essay is to highlight new possibilities for

emancipatory projects promoted by ethical considerations such as commitment to human dignity

and rights, promotion of equity and social justice, collaboration and solidarity and diversity and

inclusion among marginalized and precarious workers to challenge the existing social and

economic order advocating for more just and equitable structures.

Robinson and Baker (p. 2) state there are growing disparities and global capitalism's

incapacity to provide the existence of billions of people, throw nations into crises of legitimacy

and force the system into more overtly repressive methods of social control and dominance that

intensify social and political unrest. Additionally, highlighted in their article, the authors explain

that polarization is an effect of global capitalism where capitalists own the means to produce

wealth, inherently accumulating vast amounts of surplus and, without proper outlets or profitable

investment opportunities over a period, expand social polarization fueling crises such as

depressions, recessions, war and social upheavals. However, it is also highlighted that despite the
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growing uncertainty caused by global capitalism and opening up dangers of war and neo-

fascism, there are emerging possibilities of emancipatory projects and counterhegemonic

(Robinson and Baker, 2). To explain this concept, a new approach to contemporary capitalism

argues that emancipatory potential exists within growing capitalism among precarious workers

that can subvert and overcome the logic of capitalism itself (Azmanova). The author Azmanova

argues that emancipation projects or potential rehumanization of humanity in global capitalism

are dependent on two crucial components–universalization of insecurity and competition (Enrico

et al. 640-666). Exacerbated by the digitization of workforces, precarization is described by the

universalization of insecurity. Under precarization, there is a growing shortage of salaried and

waged employment and an increase in the flexible gig economy. In the context of competition,

Azmanova explains that the core logic of capitalism is founded on competition where labour is

engaged in a productivist nature of work and profit-making (Enrico et al. 640–666). This has

created a gap between wage labourers and uberized economy workers. The existence of uberized

economy workers, according to Azmanova, engage in labour with decommodifying potential,

creating possibilities for emancipation (Enrico et al., 640–666, Azmanova). The flexible

structures defining precarization of labour rely on the productivist nature of work, which is

central to capitalism, enabling emancipatory potential.

According to Robinson and Baker (2), the rise in global inequality is a reflection of a

structural and political crisis of global capitalism centred on over-accumulation and hegemony.

Therefore, capitalism is held responsible for the rising or increase in capital, which cannot be

profitably invested and dominant ideologies and the growing capacity of ruling groups,

capitalists, to maintain control. This emphasizes the need for equity and social justice in global

labour and economic markets. Emancipatory projects through the collaboration of surplus
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humanity and labour address systematic disparities and injustices, especially among waged

labourers and precarious work arrangements. Azmanova suggests some of the equality and social

justice ethics in an economic system include raising taxes among the rich and reforms such as

campaign finance reform and Elizabeth Warren's Accountable Capitalism Act (Enrico et al., 640-

666, Azmanova). This promotes an equitable society with fair and inclusive distribution of

opportunities, compensation and resources.

Emancipation through decommodification is the elimination or reduction of the extent to

which workers or the nature of work is perceived as a commodity, focusing on human aspects

over economic interests. Emancipatory potential in the global capitalism crisis can be promoted

by ethical consideration in human relationships, including the commitment to human dignity and

rights. Referenced by authors Enrico et al. (640-666), Amznova argues that there is a possibility

to overcome a capitalist system through emancipatory potential enabled by decommodification,

emphasizing the imperative to uphold and acknowledge the fundamental dignity of individuals.

Decommodification upholds the inherent view that human beings are not mere commodities or

instruments of profit and should be accorded equal and just treatment. Dehumanization in the

flexible or the new global precariat of ploteranians is evident in the informalized, part-time, non-

unionized, temporary and contractual labour, promoting cheapening, flexibilization and

fragmentation of labour (Robinson and Baker 5). Consequently, precarious labour in deregulated

markets promotes unregulated compensations and unjust wages through cheap labour.

As digitalization heightens polarization and inequality and centralizes capital, an impact

of global capitalism expanding the ranks of surplus humanity and labour, capital has become

increasingly reliant on other methods of extracting surplus labour, such as social reproduction

and unpaid labour, including prison labour and internships. Marx notes, "the overwork of the
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employed part of the working class swells the ranks of the reserved whilst conversely the greater

pressure that the latter by its competition exerts on the former, forces these to submit to over-

work and to subjugation under the dictates of capital (Marx 425)." In an ethical context, this

appeals to a valuation of labour not by the quantity but also by the quality of work. Therefore, it

is crucial to promote ethical, economic practices, including work-life balance, just wages and

compensation, design and implementation of policies prioritizing workers over profit and safe

working conditions. Emancipatory projects, as suggested by Robinson and Baker (8), should

bring together surplus humanity and their struggles on the periphery and points of social

reproduction, combining those who are formally inserted into the global capital circuits under

precarious employment arrangements. This promotes collaboration, solidarity, diversity, and

inclusion among marginalized and precarious workers, challenging the notion that workers are

driven by self-interest in labour markets. A collective approach promotes support and

cooperation in human relationships and workforces. It can be achieved through universal

protection of workers in unions, extending labour standard coverage and reaffirming

fundamental rights to especially vulnerable groups.

In response to crises exacerbated by global capitalism, emancipatory projects are

suggested as transformative interventions. The emancipatory potential in global capitalism

reshapes the economic and social order underpinning ethical values such as commitment to

human dignity and rights, promotion of equity and social justice, collaboration and solidarity and

diversity and inclusion, contributing to the rehumanization of human relations.

Work Cited
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Azmanova, Albena. Capitalism on edge: How fighting precarity can achieve radical change

without crisis or utopia. Columbia University Press, 2019.

Biale, Enrico, et al. "Regaining control over precarity." Contemporary Political Theory 21.4

(2022): 640-666. (Enrico, et al., 640-666)

Marx, Karl. The marx-engels reader. Vol. 4. New York: Norton, 1972.

Robinson, William I., and Yousef K. Baker. "Savage inequalities: capitalist crisis and surplus

humanity." International Critical Thought 9.3 (2019): 376-393.