Keyword Guide · chapter-summary
Karl Marx’s Das Kapital Chapter 10 digs into core dynamics of industrial labor in 19th-century capitalist systems, a key text for understanding class and economic structure. This guide breaks down its central arguments and gives actionable study tools to ace your assignments. For faster, structured analysis, use the Readi.AI iOS app to organize your notes and quiz prep on the go.
Chapter 10 centers on the struggle between factory owners and workers over the length of the workday. Marx explores how unregulated capitalism pushes to extend work hours beyond sustainable limits, while workers fight to protect their physical and mental well-being. The chapter frames this conflict as a foundational tension in capitalist economies, with long-term impacts on labor rights and class inequality.
Three critical ideas anchor the chapter: first, the “absolute surplus value” generated by lengthening work hours without increasing pay. Second, the legal and grassroots battles over workday regulations, which Marx frames as a clash between profit motives and human dignity. Third, the hidden costs of overwork, including reduced worker productivity and long-term harm to labor forces. These are essential for quiz questions and discussion prompts.
For class discussions, start by identifying one real-world parallel to the chapter’s labor conflicts (e.g., modern gig work hours). For essays, structure your thesis around either the evolution of workday regulations or the ongoing relevance of surplus value debates. Use bullet points to map key arguments against historical or current examples to keep your writing focused. Break down notes into “capitalist motives” and “worker resistance” columns for quick reference.
1. Define absolute surplus value in your own words, distinct from surplus value created via other methods. 2. List two key turning points in the historical fight for regulated workdays referenced in the chapter. 3. Explain how Marx links workday length to long-term capitalist stability. Review these points daily for 10 minutes, and use flashcards to reinforce terminology. The Readi.AI app can help you generate custom flashcards for quick quizzing.
This chapter connects economic theory to real human conflict, making it a key text for discussing class, power, and social change—core themes in many literature and social science curricula.
While full reading is ideal, this summary covers all critical arguments and concepts needed for quizzes and basic class discussions. For deeper analysis, pair it with targeted excerpts or the Readi.AI app’s guided breakdowns.
Link its arguments to debates over remote work hours, gig worker protections, or overtime pay laws. This connection will strengthen essay theses and class discussion contributions.
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