The concept of work is not exclusive to capitalism, but the unique characteristic lies in wage labor, which is a foundational element of capitalism. Under capitalism, individuals engage in wage labor by working for an employer to earn income in exchange for their labor, contrasting the communal work for survival seen in pre-capitalist societies. While capitalism has enhanced productivity and reduced the amount of work needed for survival, it has introduced a social pressure to earn an income, leading to longer working hours. This pressure is not imposed by individual businesses but is a structural feature of the capitalist system, compelling businesses to push for extended work hours. To address this issue, a shift in focus from individual actions to systemic change is necessary.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode