Categoria: general

France – labour law, code du travail, Arbeits(un)recht

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in contemporary socio-economic situation, general

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Solidarité avec les contestataires 
de la “réforme” du code du travail en France

Solidarität mit den Protesten gegen die Arbeitsrechts-„Reform“ in Frankreich

In solidarity with the protests against the “reform” in France’s labour laws

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Solidarité avec les contestataires 
de la “réforme” du code du travail en France

Nous, scientifiques, publicistes et syndicalistes d‘Allemagne, exprimons notre solidarité avec les personnes qui en France poursuivent leur contestation de la “réforme” du Code du travail et continuent à faire grève contre elle. Ces grèves et cette contestation sont légitimes, indispensables, et constituent un exemple pour l’ensemble de l’Union Européenne

Nous protestons contre cette loi en voie d’être imposée par ordonnance, sans vote du Parlement, qui reprend en grande partie les revendications du MEDEF (confédération patronale) et va à l’encontre de l’avis et des intérêts de la majorité de la population. Cette “démocrature” durcit l‘évolution de la législation dans l’Union Européenne.

Nous protestons également contre la violence policière massive et les condamnations qui limitent la liberté de rassemblement et d‘expression des grévistes et des manifestants.

Le Président François Hollande et le Premier Ministre Manuel Valls invoquent les prétendus succès obtenus par des lois similaires dans d’autres pays de l’Union Européenne. Mais ces succès n’existent pas, au contraire.

C’est l’Allemagne qui, avec l’Agenda 2010 du chancelier Gerhard Schröder (SPD), a inauguré de telles”réformes”, ce qui l’a conduit à devenir le principal pays à bas salaires en Europe. Cela ne porte pas seulement préjudice aux salariés, aux chômeurs et surtout aux plus jeunes en Allemagne même, mais également aux économies des autres pays membres de l’UE, à commencer par la France. Ces réformes sont l’une des causes de l’augmentation du chômage dans toute l’UE.

L’Agenda 2010 et d’autres mesures prises par les gouvernements suivants ont conduit à un recul des conventions collectives élaborées de façon transparente. Les syndicats sont affaiblis. Sous la pression interne des employeurs – qui menacent de fermer, délocaliser ou licencier – les accords d‘entreprise aboutissent à une déréglementation de la durée du travail, à des baisses de salaire, à des heures supplémentaires non rémunérées, à un accroissement du nombre des temps partiels et petits boulots ainsi que des emplois à durée limitée,voire non rémunérés (stages).

Même le gouvernement allemand doit désormais admettre que les bas salaires et la baisse des retraites entraînent une paupérisation considérable. De plus en plus de retraités sont contraints de reprendre un travail. L’État doit venir en aide à des centaines de milliers de travailleurs pauvres Les associations caritatives font ce qu’elles peuvent pour nourrir tant bien que mal les personnes paupérisées. Une insécurité croissante et une pression excessive au travail ont aggravé le stress et conduit à une augmentation des maladies psychiques et dépressions.

Les “réformes” du Code du travail menées sur le modèle allemand font partie intégrante d’une concurrence internationale dévastatrice et ont conduit à des inégalités qui d’ores et déjà portent gravement atteinte à la cohésion sociale et démocratique de l’UE.

Nous sommes en plein accord avec les grévistes et les manifestants de France: Le travail salarié doit être revalorisé. Il faut mettre un terme à sa dépréciation financière et morale. Et les réfugiés ne doivent pas être utilisés à des fins de dumping salarial.

Nous nous associons aux revendications d’Attac France : augmenter les salaires, tout particulièrement pour les bas revenus, investir dans ce qui crée de l’emploi, notamment dans la reconversion écologique du transport et de l’énergie, ainsi que dans la culture et la formation pour tous, réduire le temps de travail de tous, mettre un terme au dumping et à la course au moins-disant salarial entre les pays de l’UE. Il faut un soulèvement démocratique pour riposter et élaborer des alternatives.

Signatures (liste provisoire)

Conseil scientifique d’Attac Allemagne (à l’initiative de la déclaration, d’où les nombreuses signatures)

 

Prof. Dr.                   Rudolph            Bauer

PD Dr.                        Josef                           Berghold

Prof. Dr.                   Armin               Bernhard

Prof. Dr.                   Stefan             Bestman

Prof. Dr.                   Alex                           Demirovic

Prof. Dr.                   Ulrich                         Duchrow

Prof. Dr.                   Heide               Gerstenberger

Prof. Dr.                     Michael             Hartmann

Prof. Dr.                 Frigga             Haug

Prof. Dr.                   Peter               Herrmann

Prof. Dr.                   Rudolf             Hickel

Prof. Dr.                   Uwe                 Hirschfeld

Ass. Prof. Dr.             Stefanie               Hürtgen

Dr.                             Harald             Klimenta

Dr.                             Reinhart                   Kößler

Dr.                           Lydia                           Krüger

Prof. Dr.                   Ingrid                         Kurz-Scherf

Prof. Dr.                   Mohssen             Massarrat

Dr.                             Wolfgang                 Neef

Dr.                             Silke                           Oetsch

Dr.                             Norman             Paech

PD Dr.             Ralf                           Ptak

Katharina               Pühl

Dr.                           Oliver             Pye

Dr.                             Werner             Rügemer

Dr.                             Thomas             Sablowski

Prof. Dr.                   Michael             Schneider

Prof. Dr.                 Jürgen             Schutte

Dr.                             Manuela             Troschke

Prof. Dr.                   Michael             Vester

Hon.-Prof. Dr.             Frieder Otto             Wolf

Diverses signatures d’Attac Allemagne

Prof. Dr. Heiner Flassbeck (Makroskop Mediengesellschaft)

Dr. Paul Steinhardt (Makroskop Mediengesellschaft)

Mag Wompel (Labour Net Germany)

Dr. Werner Rügemer (Aktion gegen Arbeitsunrecht)

Dr. Winfried Wolf (Lunapark21)

Franz Kersjes (Welt der Arbeit)

Uwe Hiksch (Naturfreunde Deutschlands)

Marie-Dominique Vernhes (Sand im Getriebe)

Prof. Dr. Rainer Roth (Klartext)

Einzelunterschrift:

Heinrich Bleicher-Nagelsmann (Geschäftsführer Verband der deutschen SchriftstellerInnen)

Kontakt: Dr. Werner Rügemer 0049-163-8689945

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Solidarität mit den Protesten gegen die Arbeitsrechts-„Reform“ in Frankreich

Wir, Menschen aus Wissenschaft Publizistik und Gewerkschaften aus Deutschland, erklären unsere Solidarität mit den Menschen in Frankreich, die gegen die Arbeitsrechts-„Reform“ weiter protestieren und streiken. Diese Streiks und Proteste sind berechtigt, notwendig und ein Vorbild für die gesamte Europäische Union.

Wir protestieren gegen das Gesetz, das per Notverordnung am Parlament vorbei diktiert wird. Es stimmt weitgehend mit den Forderungen des Arbeitgeberverbandes MEDEF überein und richtet sich gegen die Meinung und Interessen der Mehrheitsbevölkerung. Diese Demokratur verschärft die Rechtsentwicklung in der Europäischen Union.

Wir protestieren ebenfalls gegen die massive Polizeigewalt und Verurteilungen, mit denen die Versammlungs- und Meinungsfreiheit der Streikenden und Protestierenden eingeschränkt wird.

Präsident Francois Hollande und Premierminister Manuel Valls haben auf angebliche Erfolge gleichartiger Gesetze in anderen EU-Staaten verwiesen. Doch diese Erfolge gibt es nicht, im Gegenteil.

Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die unter Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder (SPD) mit der Agenda 2010 am frühesten mit solchen „Reformen“ begann, wurde dadurch zum größten Niedriglohnstaat in Europa. Das schädigt nicht nur die Beschäftigten, die Arbeitslosen und vor allem die Jüngeren in Deutschland selbst, sondern auch die Volkswirtschaften der anderen EU-Mitgliedsstaaten, nicht zuletzt Frankreichs. Diese Reformen sind eine Ursache für die wachsende Arbeitslosigkeit in der ganzen EU.

Durch die Agenda 2010 und weitere Maßnahmen der Folgeregierungen wurden in Deutschland kollektive, transparent entwickelte Tarifverträge zurückgedrängt. Die Gewerkschaften werden geschwächt. Einzelbetriebliche Vereinbarungen führen unter dem internen Druck der Arbeitgeber – sie drohen mit der Schließung oder Verlagerung des Betriebs oder mit Entlassungen – zur noch weiteren Entgrenzung der Arbeitszeiten, zu Lohnsenkungen, zu unbezahlten Überstunden, zu noch mehr Teilzeit- und Minijobs, zu noch mehr befristeten oder sogar unbezahlten Arbeitsplätzen (Praktika).

Selbst die deutsche Regierung muss mittlerweile zugeben: wegen der Niedriglöhne und begleitende Rentenkürzungen bildet sich bereits jetzt eine gewaltige Altersarmut. Pensionäre sind in wachsender Zahl zu Nebenarbeit gezwungen. Hunderttausende Niedriglöhne müssen staatlich subventioniert werden. Mithilfe von etwa tausend Tafeln muss der Hunger der Verarmten notdürftig gestillt werden. Die wachsende Unsicherheit und der unkontrollierte Leistungsdruck haben zu mehr Stress und einem Anstieg der psychischen Krankzeiten und Depressionen geführt.

Die nach deutschem Vorbild durchgezogenen Arbeitsrechts-„Reformen“ sind Teil eines zerstörerischen Standort-Wettbewerbs und haben zu Ungleichheiten geführt, die auch den demokratischen und sozialen Zusammenhalt in der EU schon jetzt schwer schädigen.

Wir stimmen mit den Streikenden und Protestierenden in Frankreich überein: Die abhängige Arbeit muss aufgewertet, deren finanzielle und moralische Herabwürdigung muss beendet werden! Auch Flüchtlinge dürfen nicht für Lohn-Dumping missbraucht werden!

Wir schließen uns der Forderung von Attac Frankreich an: Lohnerhöhungen insbesondere für die unteren Einkommensgruppen! Investitionen müssen in arbeitsplatzschaffende Produkte fließen, etwa in den ökologischen Umbau der Systeme für Transport und Energie! Investitionen in Bildung und Ausbildung für alle! Arbeitszeitverkürzung für alle! Beendigung des zerstörerischen Lohndumping-Wettbewerbs zwischen den EU-Mitgliedsstaaten! Zur Gegenwehr und zur Entwicklung von Alternativen sind auch demokratische Aufstände notwendig.

Wissenschaftlicher Beirat attac Deutschland:

Prof. Dr.                Rudolph         Bauer

PD Dr.                  Josef            Berghold

Prof. Dr.                Armin            Bernhard

Prof. Dr.                Stefan          Bestman

Prof. Dr.                  Christoph         Butterwegge

Prof. Dr.                Alex            Demirovic

Prof. Dr.                Ulrich          Duchrow

Prof. Dr.                Heide            Gerstenberger

Prof. Dr.                  Michael          Hartmann

Prof. Dr.                       Frigga          Haug

Prof. Dr.                Peter            Herrmann

Prof. Dr.                Rudolf          Hickel

Prof. Dr.                Uwe              Hirschfeld

Ass. Prof. Dr.          Stefanie       Hürtgen

Dr.                       Harald          Klimenta

Dr.                       Reinhart       Kößler

Dr.                              Lydia            Krüger

Prof. Dr.                Ingrid          Kurz-Scherf

Prof. Dr.                Mohssen          Massarrat

Dr.                       Wolfgang     Neef

Dr.                       Silke            Oetsch

Dr.                       Norman          Paech

PD Dr.                   Ralf            Ptak

Katharina     Pühl

Dr.                              Oliver          Pye

Dr.                       Werner          Rügemer

Dr.                       Thomas          Sablowski

Prof. Dr.                Michael          Schneider

Prof. Dr.                       Jürgen          Schutte

Dr.                       Manuela          Troschke

Prof. Dr.                Michael          Vester

Hon.-Prof. Dr.          Frieder Otto Wolf

Weitere Unterzeichner:

Makroskop Mediengesellschaft (Prof. Dr. Heiner Flassbeck, Dr. Paul Steinhardt)

Labour Net Germany (Mag Wompel)

Aktion ./. Arbeitsunrecht (Jessica Reisner )

Lunapark21 (Dr. Winfried Wolf)

Welt der Arbeit (Franz Kersjes)

Naturfreunde Deutschlands (Uwe Hiksch)

Sand im Getriebe (Marie-Dominique Vernhes)

Klartext (Prof. Rainer Roth )

Einzelunterschrift:

Heinrich Bleicher-Nagelsmann (Geschäftsführer Verband der deutschen SchriftstellerInnen)

Kontakt:

Dr. Werner Rügemer 0049-163-8689945

 

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In solidarity with the protests against the “reform” in France’s labour laws

We, scientists, publishers and trade unionists from Germany, confirm our solidarity with people in France who are continuing their protests and strikes against the “reform” in labour laws. These strikes and protests are justified and necessary and set an example for the whole of the European Union.

We protest against the law that is about to be dictated as an emergency order, bypassing parliament. It is largely in line with demands from the employers’ confederation MEDEF and flies in the face of the opinion and interests of the majority of the population. Legislative trends in the European Union are being made worse by this elected dictatorship.

Similarly we protest against the excessive force used by police and the sentences passed that have been used to restrict strikers’ and protesters’ freedom of assembly and expression.

President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls have referred to the supposed success of similar laws in other EU states. However there are no such success stories, quite the contrary.

Germany, which was the first to embark on “reforms” of this kind under Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) with Agenda 2010, was turned into the largest low-wage economy in Europe as a result. That is not only detrimental to employees, the unemployed and above all to younger people in Germany itself but also to the economies of other EU states, not least of France. These reforms are one reason for the growing levels of unemployment in the EU as a whole.

As a result of Agenda 2010 and further measures adopted by subsequent governments, transparent collective bargaining agreements were curtailed in Germany. The unions have been undermined. Agreements reached in individual firms under internal pressure from employers – who threaten to close or relocate the business – lead again to the removal of more limits governing working time, to cuts in wages, unpaid overtime, to even more part-time jobs and marginal work, or even to unpaid positions (internships).

Even the German government has now had to concede that low pay and the accompanying cuts in pensions are already causing immense poverty amongst the elderly. A growing number of pensioners are being forced to take jobs on the side. Hundreds of thousands of low wages have to be subsidised by the state. As a stopgap measure, around one thousand food banks must help feed hungry people suffering from poverty. Increasing insecurity and unchecked pressure to succeed have led to greater stress and a rise in absences due to mental health problems and depression.

The “reforms” in labour laws enacted in line with the German model are part of a destructive competition to attract business to regions and have caused levels of inequality that are already causing serious damage to democratic and social cohesion in the EU.

We sympathise with the strikers and protesters in France. The importance of paid employment needs to be better valued, it is time to put a stop to its financial and moral vilification. Refugees must also not be exploited in the name of wage dumping!

We endorse the demands of Attac France: higher wages, in particular for lower income groups! Investments must be made in products that create jobs, for instance redesigning transport and energy systems to reduce the environmental impact! Investments in education and training for everyone! Reductions in working hours for everyone! An end to the destructive wage-dumping competition between EU member states! Democratic revolt is also needed for resistance and to help develop alternatives.

English version translated by Cherry Shelton-Mills, Coorditrad

Wissenschaftlicher Beirat attac Deutschland:

Prof. Dr.                Rudolph         Bauer

PD Dr.                  Josef            Berghold

Prof. Dr.                Armin            Bernhard

Prof. Dr.                Stefan          Bestman

Prof. Dr.                  Christoph         Butterwegge

Prof. Dr.                Alex            Demirovic

Prof. Dr.                Ulrich          Duchrow

Prof. Dr.                Heide            Gerstenberger

Prof. Dr.                  Michael          Hartmann

Prof. Dr.                       Frigga          Haug

Prof. Dr.                Peter            Herrmann

Prof. Dr.                Rudolf          Hickel

Prof. Dr.                Uwe              Hirschfeld

Ass. Prof. Dr.          Stefanie       Hürtgen

Dr.                       Harald          Klimenta

Dr.                       Reinhart       Kößler

Dr.                              Lydia            Krüger

Prof. Dr.                Ingrid          Kurz-Scherf

Prof. Dr.                Mohssen          Massarrat

Dr.                       Wolfgang     Neef

Dr.                       Silke            Oetsch

Dr.                       Norman          Paech

PD Dr.                   Ralf            Ptak

Katharina     Pühl

Dr.                              Oliver          Pye

Dr.                       Werner          Rügemer

Dr.                       Thomas          Sablowski

Prof. Dr.                Michael          Schneider

Prof. Dr.                       Jürgen          Schutte

Dr.                       Manuela          Troschke

Prof. Dr.                Michael          Vester

Hon.-Prof. Dr.          Frieder Otto Wolf

Weitere Unterzeichner:

Makroskop Mediengesellschaft (Prof. Dr. Heiner Flassbeck, Dr. Paul Steinhardt)

Labour Net Germany (Mag Wompel)

Aktion ./. Arbeitsunrecht (Jessica Reisner )

Lunapark21 (Dr. Winfried Wolf)

Welt der Arbeit (Franz Kersjes)

Naturfreunde Deutschlands (Uwe Hiksch)

Sand im Getriebe (Marie-Dominique Vernhes)

Klartext (Prof. Rainer Roth )

Einzelunterschrift:

Heinrich Bleicher-Nagelsmann (Geschäftsführer Verband der deutschen SchriftstellerInnen)

Kontakt:

Dr. Werner Rügemer 0049-163-8689945

 

Zsuzsa Ferge

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in academic life - living in academia, general, Peter's Log, publications, works, projects, publications

I am glad that I could make a small contribution* to celebrate this great colleague – it is always a pleasure to meet a person that is ready to stand up, to move things – to sit down – to seriously discuss issues, and to be around – just to have a good time together.  Zsuzsa, thank you!!

 

* I cannot set the link to the actual publication

US – “world leadership in the care sector”

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in general, thoughts on life and its philosophy

Surprising? Yes, it is indeed the United States of Northern America who are playing a leading in the  care sector — of course, one may have to look exactly at the definitions of “care” and “leadership”. Check yourself here for the

Black Alabama Inmates Strike Against Oppression and Slavery.

And do not forget to watch the embedded  film.

Unveiling Lines Behind Dichotomies_Warsaw 4/2016

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in general, publications, works, works, projects, publications

Presentation in Warsaw, April 6th 2016:

International Conference

Precarious Places: 

Social, Cultural and Economic Aspects of Uncertainty and Anxiety in Everyday Life

The recording of the presentation can be found here

Abstract

A fundamental methodological problem is the specific relevance of one of the antagonisms of capitalism, though not replacing the meaning of class-conflict but redefining and classifying it in the light of the developmental stage of the means of production: Far too little attention is paid to the contradictory character of individualisation and socialisation as it is inherent in the political economic system.
Polányi’s main argument of disembedding is inherently linked to the somewhat contradicting tendency of colonialisation which can also be seen as specific form of embedding.
The juxtaposition or dichotomisation of individualisation-socialisation is a different presentation of control of the underlying process. The term inner colonialisation gains special meaning not least in the understanding of the land grab and its metaphoric use as matter of “commons”. As such it will be used in the presentation as means for investigating 5 major myth and 5 major tensions that allow us to go beyond considering the 5 giant evils (Beveridge) that guide the welfare state debate.
[The author gratefully acknowledges the generous financial support from Zhejiang University Fund, Hangzhou, PRC and Bangor College China, Changsha, PRC]

Security in insecure times

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in general, works, works, projects, publications

A short presentation, addressing the conference Edukacja Dla Bezpieczeństwa (Education for Security), April 6th, 2016, in Gdansk

Abstract:

Looking at the economic development of the recent years, the first that comes to mind is of course the crisis and its far-reaching impact on the living conditions and perspectives of many people – social security systems are threatened by austerity, and they often appear as at most shunting yard, without offering real and sustainable perspectives. This is obvious, and the need for immediate changes, securing basic human rights – for individuals and societies – is high on the agenda.

However, it is obvious that the crisis is more fundamental, reaching much beyond this and presenting itself as human crisis, crisis of humanity, crisis of agency and the like.

We best may refer to the antroponomic system crisis as outlined by Paul Boccara.

In other words, when we look at the current economic crisis we have to understand that we are confronted with the potentiality of a fundamental change of the entire mode of production. So, the old security of the Keynesian Welfare National State are failing and seem to be irretrievable, the transitory Schumpeterian Workfare Post-National Regime.

Can economics, and possibly social science in general, only bemoan the developments, leaving the search for security to religion and the violent reestablishment of the traditional systems of security? The question is not only one of social security, but even more so one of thoroughly analysing the burning global demand – and potential – for a new antroponomic balance.

 

See here for the recording.

Migration, German openness and … – the other side

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in contemporary socio-economic situation, general, works, works, projects, publications

Germany is frequently praised for the policies in connection with migration. And there is surely no reason for any kind of black and white paintings, nor for applying a too broad brush – we are currently elaborating in a small group from the scientific council of attac (Association pour la Taxation des Transactions financières et pour l’Action Citoyenne (Association for the Taxation of financial Transactions and Citizen’s Action) a positioning paper.

There is surely one thing that is frequently overlooked, and it is sufficiently shocking to have a look. It is the

Institutional racism and a lack of government action

Economics – beyond calculations

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in general, social quality, works, works, projects, publications

Nothing special though possibly a small contribution on matters of understanding economics as social science in its true sense. It is very basic – recordings from teaching students in China who are in their first year (second semester) learning about economics. The first lectures can be found here.

Dreams … I sogni ci aiutano a cambiare la realtà.

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in general, joys - what we usually take for it, Peter's Log, thoughts on life and its philosophy

I sogni ci aiutano a cambiare la realtà.

Well, as much as this trip was about some work, it waS also about these things we usually call ‘pleasure’. So, in the meantime I went to the theatre, a play based on Luchino Visconti’s Rocco e i suoi fratelli. In my opinion the performance was not really great – btw, a problem I have more and more, be it in the theatre, the opera or in galleries: some ‘forced innovation’, some spasmodic efforts to be innovative, too often ending in just being ‘artificially loud’. Still, the play itself ended by rejecting this in some way …, being a kind of dramatic as well, basically suggesting:

Don’t have dreams, life is about ‘just getting along’, things being ‘OK’, not anything more, not anything special … having dreams is about moving towards failure. So, just accept, without dreams – Then things are ‘OK’.

Never heard the ‘OK-option’ in such a pejorative, negative, rejecting way. – Why I said it had been a confirmation of rejecting the spasmodic efforts to be innovative? Simply because any change, any innovation has to be sound, radical – as such it is in need of being genuine. In arts as much as in ‘real life’.

Mustang confirmed this – in such a frightening way confronting us with the difficulty we overlook too often. A simple plot:

When five orphan girls are seen innocently playing with boys on a beach, their scandalized conservative guardians confine them while forced marriages are arranged.

And still, what we overlook is our own limitation, maintaining traditions, claiming the rights of self-determination, while forgetting that this can easily (surely not necessarily) result in oppression, localism and clientelism etc. Can we find a way that is really about moving forward and respecting the traditions? Or is it about two distinct, incompatible array, standing side by side?

You should sleep nine hours without dreams. Then you have the day for dreams. (Herbert Marcuse)

it seems like the wide spaces as we find them in so many paintings of Gauguin and the subdivision, the we know from the later paintings of van Gogh: two impressionists, two friends, and one misunderstanding ….

Apparently two sides, poles without connection. Standing against the alternative of a permanent struggle. The dreams we have – and should have beyond the brothers’ OK-option have to look for a sound foundation in the fact that

It is never possible to return to the point of departure – it does not exist anymore (Shumona Sinha).

And with this we have to acknowledge the most difficult point: we do not exist anymore, we also changed, and even if we think, we did not change: ultimately we did.

Morals and Standards

da Peter Herrmann's Blog, posted in contemporary socio-economic situation, general, thoughts on life and its philosophy

Another time we see the meaning of the words we find in the first volume of The Capital, chapter 31, dealing with the Genesis of the Industrial Capitalist

“Capital is said by a Quarterly Reviewer to fly turbulence and strife, and to be timid, which is very true; but this is very incompletely stating the question. Capital eschews no profit, or very small profit, just as Nature was formerly said to abhor a vacuum. With adequate profit, capital is very bold. A certain 10 per cent. will ensure its employment anywhere; 20 per cent. certain will produce eagerness; 50 per cent., positive audacity; 100 per cent. will make it ready to trample on all human laws; 300 per cent., and there is not a crime at which it will scruple, nor a risk it will not run, even to the chance of its owner being hanged. If turbulence and strife will bring a profit, it will freely encourage both. Smuggling and the slave-trade have amply proved all that is here stated.” (T. J. Dunning, l. c., pp. 35, 36.)

It is not about the genesis though, it also and even more so about maintaining the role of capital in general, paradoxically pushing you to produce and tighten the rope that may one day be seen hanging down the gibbet, when walking up the last stairs. Or is there another way to interpret the following

Saudis Use European Arms for ‘Human Rights Violations’

Is it too cynical to demand that the profits should be at least used to accommodate the refugees?

It is just appalling  to see that, what we sometimes hope to be exaggerations, is brute reality.