COVID-19 and Capitalism
The bourgeoisie cannot exist without constantly revolutionising the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production and with them the whole relations of society. Everlasting uncertainty and agitation distinguish the bourgeois epoch from all earlier ones. Man is at last compelled to face soberly, his real conditions of life, and his relations with his kind.
In Manifesto of the Communist Party written almost two centuries ago, Marx and Engels made an amazingly prescient and accurate prognostic of the problems of capitalism, which are currently being exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Numerous businesses around the world have been downsized or closed, temporarily or permanently, due to lack of demand; millions of people have lost, or are in danger of losing, their jobs and livelihoods, and consequently are compelled to “justify their existence”, to borrow a phrase from a former co-worker of mine. Each person, in isolation, is compelled to re-evaluate his condition of life, and his relation to society. The situation threatens to exacerbate a metal health crisis that had loomed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a capitalist society, each person’s worth is evaluated based on his utility. In the US, for instance, this is reflected by the fact that many people’s health insurance are paid for by their employers. If and when they are out of a job, they can no longer afford health insurance, adding insults to injury. It is empty and meaningless to say that every life is infinitely valuable, and cannot be measured by money, when in fact every thing concerning a human life, whether it be food, shelter, healthcare or education, is given only in return for money.
Human Worth and Work
天生我材必有用，
千金散盡還復來Heaven brought forth my substance for a definite purpose,
Thousand pieces of gold lost entirely may yet return.
Although I belong professionally to the healthcare sector, which is considered essential service, and has continued to operate through the pandemic, I know what it is like to be jobless and penniless, and to doubt my personal worth.
When I think about how to help those who have lost their jobs, I’m reminded of a poem by a famous 8th century Chinese poet, Li Bai (李白), with apology for my amateurish translation. It is a drinking poem, perhaps written at a time when he was frustrated by setbacks in his political career. I think it is fair to say that Li Bai never mounted to much in politics, — he was sentenced to death, later commuted to exile, but he was immortalized as a poet in the memory of the Chinese people, and judging by the length of his Wikipedia entry, he has become widely known in the Western world as well.
It is my belief that each person is endowed with talent, and has something unique to contribute to society. It is his/her personal responsibility to develop his/her talent to best serve the society as a functioning member of the body politic, and in turn, it is also his right and privilege to enjoy services rendered by other members. I can understand the “natural right” to work in this sense only, not in the sense that the government or society owes the individual employment opportunity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many professions and businesses into extinction. If I may say so, this is bound to happen sooner or later. With the advance of science and technology, our way of life is bound to change, at least on certain levels. In philosophical terms, although the essence may remain the same, the accidental attributes will change. Instead of trying to return to old ways of life and business, perhaps it is better to look deeper and think ahead. Think more deeply about how exactly our profession serves the community, which fundamental human needs are met by our work, and how we can continue to meet those needs using different means.
For instance, I just saw in the news that an event photographer participated in a protest to “reopen the economy”. This time of year would normally be her busiest, but instead she is unemployed. I suppose people want photographs taken to commemorate moments and events in their lives that will continue to delight, inspire and comfort them in the future. There is so much that goes into capturing a memorable moment which an average person doesn’t know about, and a professional photographer can teach others, and be repaid for his/her contribution of insights and knowledge, without having to take a photo in person.
In conclusion, there is so much unmet need in our society, a person who truly wishes to contribute will find plenty of work. Ask not what your neighbour can do for you, ask what you can do for your neighbour; Ask not what the world can do for you, ask what you do for the world.