Taking the High Road Only to Arrive at the Low Road: The Creation of a Reserve Army of Petty Capitalists in the North Maine Woods
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Publication Title
Review of Radical Political Economics
Abstract
Class relations in wood harvesting in Maine are analyzed. An unexpected high-road strategy emerges from the adoption of new technology for corporate crews (wage labor). This high-road policy is enhanced by the class struggle of independent logging contractors (petty capitalists). The ultimate diffusion of this technology to contractors reversed this strategy by allowing company crews to be disbanded. This created a reserve army of petty capitalists and a resultant increase in the rate of exploitation.
Recommended Citation
“Taking the High Road Only to Arrive at the Low Road: The Creation of a Reserve Army of Petty Capitalists in the North Maine Woods.” With Jonathan Goldstein. Review of Radical Political Economics. 40(4):479-509, 2008.
