Hard Times: On the Devaluation of Labor

Charles Dickens Hard Times has maintained its relevance even in the modern day, providing invaluable lessons to not only economists, but also governments of the uninformed and merely theoretical way of life. There is little regard for whether the various theories and models developed by economists can work to alleviate such adversities as hunger, lack of access to health facilities and in this case care services, plunging health as consumers eat more of junk, among other issues. Dickens puts much emphasis on the word “facts” as he considers it the basis moving forward and viewing a spade as a spade and nothing else. Unfortunately, the society has built and harbored a system that is majorly flawed, but despite this knowledge, some individuals bath in the disparity it creates. This explains why such economic issues such as unequal distribution of wealth and devaluation of labor are still persistent and continue to corrode values, beliefs, and the hope that individuals have for a just and equitable life. 

“ Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else .” Charles Dickens (1854, p. 3) 

There is a reason behind Dickens’ emphasis on exposing boys and girls to the facts of the world, which means telling them things verbatim. As an example, it is good to prepare these individuals and have them know that wealth is not for everyone, some will become extremely rich, while others will have to toil and moil day in day out as they look and hope for a breakthrough. Mostly this is usually financially based, as the vision for living a luxury life lingers. There is actually those who believe that their time has not yet come, that something magical will happen, which will take them out of poverty and directly into riches. It is not bad to have such a dream, it has worked for some who have won lotteries and transformed their lives in a flash. However, the truth of the matter is that not all will win lotteries, which leaves the vast majority to wander as they search for that unique opportunity, which will allow them advance in life. 

As Dickens advocated in his novel, facts are important. We live in a society that has little to no regard for the wellbeing of every one. I recently read an article, although written in 2009, its relevance still exists. The author, Eugenia Tsao, addressed the issue of devaluation of labor. In a conversation with one an administrative assistant at a post-secondary institution located in Ontario, Tsao sought to unravel the cause of hiring freezes in universities and colleges across Canada at that time. Known to the public is that such extreme actions were geared towards curbing budgetary hemorrhaging. Unions no longer have the power to protect their works as they are forced to sign-off on contracts under dictated by employers for fear of losing already existing benefits as well as wage rates (Tsao, 2009). 

As the conversation between Tao and the administrative assistant continued, the latter party, with dashed hopes, said, “ I guess it’s understandable… “People like me are expendable; the professors aren’t. They’re the ones who do the research and create the jobs. If it weren’t for them, there would be no university” (Tsao, 2009, para. 2). Tsao’s article addressed the issue of expendability of workers, which is a consequence of devaluation of labor. The society does not expose its generations to the truth, that such cases as those associated with devaluation of labor can occur, with no objection from anyone. The manipulation of unions, as Tsao revealed, has only led to further demise of these institutions, which are only identified theoretically by the values they stand for. Personally, while unions are there to safeguard workers’ welfare, the truth is that their mere presence attests the fact that some employees are dispensable, while others are not. 

“ It is known, to the force of a single pound weight, what the engine will do; but, not all the calculators of the National Debt can tell me the capacity for good or evil, for love or hatred, for patriotism or discontent, for the decomposition of virtue into vice, or the reverse.” Charles Dickens (1854, p. 81) 

Economic inequality has and continues to be a bane in the modern society. While advances in technology have led to creation of employment opportunities for some, this has also led to replacement of others following adoption of machines in industries. Most conspicuous is the fact that the gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow. Unequal distribution of wealth is, in part, based on income inequality. This has been a hot-button issue with ever increasing concerns from advocates that it is polarizing the society. Lydia DePillis of CNN noted that “While wages for low- and middle-income workers have begun to recover, wealth inequality has still climbed to new heights” (para. 1). Such an observation reflects the state of the modern society where, the top 1% of the American population owns about 38.6% of the country’s wealth, a figure up from 33.7% in 2007. That being the case, the bottom 90% of the population own about 22.8% of America’s total wealth, which is roughly 5% down from 28.5% in 2007 (DePillis, 2017). 

The statistics given are not something new, as such a state of being has been in existence for years. With unequal access to educational and employment opportunities, the likelihood to have a society where individuals have well-paying jobs is elusive. Variations in resource allocation, among other aspects, have thrown the society into a state of survival for the fittest, where only those who have money are able to make even more money, but at the expense of their counterparts. This explains Dickens proposition that calculators will tell you about the National Budget, but they will never tell about the real issues that individuals in the society face. Greed has corrupted public servants, and while it is evident even in the eyes of the public, there is no one being held accountable. Elections are held term after term with new aspirants giving the public visionary images of how they will transform the society. However, experience has taught us that politicians will remain politicians. We know that they are corrupt and confirm it, but they will never accept. 

Dickens (1854) stated that, “The only difference between us and the professors of virtue or benevolence, or philanthropy - never mind the name - is that we know it is all meaningless, and say so, while they know it equally and will never say so” (p. 196). Politicians will never admit culpability, as their careers as public servants are more important to them than even the welfare of the nation. Being in government provides these individuals with unlimited access to resources, which they use to enrich themselves at the expense of an honest and hardworking taxpayer. 

“ When the Devil goeth about like a roaring lion, he goeth about in a shape by which few but savages and hunters are attracted. But, when he is trimmed, smoothed, and varnished, according to the mode: when he is aweary of vice, and aweary of virtue, used up as to brimstone, and used up as to bliss; then, whether he take to the serving out of red tape, or to the kindling of red fire, he is the very Devil.” Charles Dickens (1854, p. 212). 

The truth has been coated as politicians give the public false hopes about change. They speak blatantly and with vigor, during campaigns, of how they are going to address such issues as devaluation of labor and unequal distribution of wealth; that every individual will have an equal opportunity to grow and advance in life. These are merely rhetorical strategies to move the masses and have them see no other participants in the ballot papers, but that particular politician who promised them better health, improved quality of education, among other things. However, even in their promises, those who are lucky enough to look beyond such rhetoric are able to understand that human beings are self-serving in nature. In his book, Dickens (1854) stated, “‘ Now you see, Tom," said Mr. Harthouse (...); ‘every man is selfish in everything he does, and I am exactly like the rest of my fellow-creatures’” (p. 210). There is no guarantee that if a human rights activist took the role of a politician and was elected as a public servant, would not fall victim to the greed that has engulfed public administrative agencies. One can never be too sure about another until exposed to situations that put to question one’s values and beliefs. 

Conclusion 

The society continues to suffer from unequal distribution of wealth as well as devaluation of labor, which are concepts that Dickens addressed in his book. Governments are ineffective in dealing with the various challenges they face, while the foundation on which the society is based supports the rich, while condemning the poor further into poverty. There is simply no equilibrium. 

References 

Dickens, C. (1854). Hard Times . Bradbury & Evans. 

DePillis, L. (2017, November 3). America’s wealth gap is bigger than ever. CNN. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/03/news/economy/wealth-gap-america/index.html 

Tsao, E. (2009, May 18). On the devaluation of labor. Counter Punch . Retrieved from https://www.counterpunch.org/2009/05/18/on-the-devaluation-of-labor/