This quote is part of a speech given in 1867, during the "first socialist schism." Bakunin was correct: capitalism is the latest epoch of slavery. Let's see it for what it is: a system that coerces the vast majority to spend our lives laboring and struggling for idle owners. 
It was the bargain given to slaveowners, feudal lords, and "old wealth" at the dawn of industrialization. Of course they took it, and here we are.
"Wage slavery" was once a commonly understood notion. Today, however, we are told that capitalism is the way of the world,
"Wage slavery" was once a commonly understood notion. Today, however, we are told that capitalism is the way of the world,
that it is the natural order of things, that there is no better system. We are blamed for not being able to thrive or survive in this system, guilted into constantly trying to please our bosses and owners, and shamed when we can't figure out a way to simply live in this system.
The capitalist class pushes terms like "work ethic" and "personal responsibility" to convince us that we are born to serve them, and that we as individuals are failures when we do not serve them adequately. In reality, as members of the working class, we are set up to fail.
And the few outliers who are lucky enough to "succeed" only do so through an unquestioned and enthusiastic subservience, often in hopes of becoming owners themselves, ultimately representing conduits for the never-ending upward flow of wealth and power.
Capitalism has long been exposed, theoretically and scientifically, by Marx, Bakunin & many others. It is exposed every day through our lived experience. It is being crushed under the weight of its own contradictions and, like a cancer, is destroying our natural environment..
in its relentless pursuit of growth. It doesn't work for most of us because, quite simply, it isn't supposed to. Yet, it persists through layers of violent state protections and forced globalization (imperialism). And we, the global majority, continue to bear the burden so that..
a global elite can experience heaven on earth.
It's time for the working classes worldwide to rise up, join forces, and build a world free from war, poverty, exploitation, and oppression. Free from capitalism.
Workers of the world... brown, black, red, and white.... unite!
It's time for the working classes worldwide to rise up, join forces, and build a world free from war, poverty, exploitation, and oppression. Free from capitalism.
Workers of the world... brown, black, red, and white.... unite!
