Organizations of Organizations of DominationDomination

We must consume to survive.We must consume to survive.

But, our economy is organized so that our But, our economy is organized so that our country stays afloat by over-consumption.country stays afloat by over-consumption.

Spending increases GDP.Spending increases GDP.

Over ConsumptionOver Consumption

Examples of over-consumption:Examples of over-consumption:

Unnecessary focus on laziness Unnecessary focus on laziness (idling, drive-throughs, etc).(idling, drive-throughs, etc).

Unnecessary focus on Unnecessary focus on “professionalism.”“professionalism.”

Unnecessary focus on leisure.Unnecessary focus on leisure.

Unnecessary focus on statusUnnecessary focus on status

What’s wrong with over-What’s wrong with over-consumption?consumption?

1) Disposable mentality1) Disposable mentality2) Entitlement leads to “us” versus “them.”2) Entitlement leads to “us” versus “them.”3) Pollution3) Pollution

Weber’s Concept of DominationWeber’s Concept of Domination

1) Coercive domination1) Coercive domination2) Legitimate domination – those in 2) Legitimate domination – those in

authority are perceived as legitimate and authority are perceived as legitimate and people obey them without forcepeople obey them without forceCharismaticCharismaticTraditionalTraditionalRational-LegalRational-Legal

Michel’s Iron Law of OligarchyMichel’s Iron Law of Oligarchy

Once in power, those in power (even if Once in power, those in power (even if elected democratically) try to maintain elected democratically) try to maintain their power at the expense of the groups their power at the expense of the groups over whom they have power.over whom they have power.

Marx’s Dialectical MaterialismMarx’s Dialectical Materialism

Those who own capital exploit the labor Those who own capital exploit the labor power of the working class.power of the working class.

Working class, because of species being, Working class, because of species being, will eventually revolt.will eventually revolt.

Exploitation TodayExploitation Today

The economy today requires that we The economy today requires that we participate in the exploitation of others:participate in the exploitation of others:

Our culture supports such exploitationOur culture supports such exploitationHegemonyHegemonyLanguage of rationalityLanguage of rationality

Exploitation TodayExploitation Today

Ethnic minorities, historically have been Ethnic minorities, historically have been exploited: Native Americans, Chinese, exploited: Native Americans, Chinese, Africans, etc.Africans, etc.

However, it’s important to note that today, However, it’s important to note that today, there are more slaves than there has ever there are more slaves than there has ever been in human history.been in human history.

http://http://www.iabolish.orgwww.iabolish.org//

Exploitation TodayExploitation Today All societies have “dirty jobs.” U.S. citizens, however, All societies have “dirty jobs.” U.S. citizens, however,

commonly do not want to do many of those jobs because commonly do not want to do many of those jobs because they pay little, are dangerous and have no benefits.they pay little, are dangerous and have no benefits.

Farm workFarm workSweatshopsSweatshopsCleaning servicesCleaning services

Undocumented workers are reviled by U.S. workers, yet Undocumented workers are reviled by U.S. workers, yet are needed by them. Why such hatred for a group that are needed by them. Why such hatred for a group that benefits us?benefits us?

Exploitation TodayExploitation Today

U.S. companies (and other MNCs) follow U.S. companies (and other MNCs) follow cheap labor force that have little worker cheap labor force that have little worker protection.protection.

Even in U.S., 56,000 workers lives are lost Even in U.S., 56,000 workers lives are lost due to industrial accidents and illness.due to industrial accidents and illness.

In other countries, the numbers are higher.In other countries, the numbers are higher.

Exploitation TodayExploitation Today

U.S. Economic leaders develop trade policy and U.S. Economic leaders develop trade policy and laws that benefit them at the expense of every laws that benefit them at the expense of every day people:day people:

Economic markers like GDPEconomic markers like GDP De-regulationDe-regulation Govt/Business relationships -- WTO, World Bank and IMF, Govt/Business relationships -- WTO, World Bank and IMF, Short-termismShort-termism

Political policy often helps big business – for example, Political policy often helps big business – for example, Afghan food policy that requires food to be sent from the US Afghan food policy that requires food to be sent from the US (which takes months) rather than buying food in the area.(which takes months) rather than buying food in the area.

Exploitation TodayExploitation Today

Do people in the U.S. really want all Do people in the U.S. really want all societies to be rich? What would that societies to be rich? What would that mean?mean?

How do we rationalize our desires?How do we rationalize our desires?