Marx's theory of surplus value: surplus value refers to the part of the production process created by wage workers in excess of the value of labor power, and this part of the value is appropriated by the capitalist without compensation. The essence of surplus value embodies the exploitation of workers by capitalists.
Illustrate:
Suppose that the capitalist borrows 1 million and invests in the production of socks.
Settlement at the end of the year: gross income of 500,000 yuan, workers' wages of 200,000 yuan.
Marx's surplus value = 500,000-200,000 = 300,000
Question 1: Did Marx say that all the surplus value went to the capitalists?
Obviously, the gross income of the capitalist is not only after that, but also has to pay taxes to the state. Assuming that the tax is 100,000 yuan, the capitalist has 200,000 yuan in after-tax profits.
In other words, Marx's surplus value is not wholly owned by the capitalists – but partly by the state.
In other words, Marx made the capitalists bear the black pot of "100,000" surplus value exploitation.
So, strictly speaking, if surplus value is exploitation, then the state is the capitalist co-exploiter.
So, if capitalism is to be brought down, if exploitation is to be brought down, does the state still need taxes?
Question 2: Capitalists borrow to repay interest. Let's say the annual interest is $50,000.
In other words, in addition to paying wages to workers, capitalists also pay taxes to the state, and also have to repay 50,000 yuan in interest on bank loans.
In other words, Marx made the capitalists carry an extra 50,000 black pots of surplus value exploitation.
In this way, if capitalism is to be defeated, the banks should also be defeated.
Question 3: Investment needs to be returned, and the profit should be the income of the capitalist after the return of the capital.
Suppose that the investment of 500,000 will be recovered in 10 years. Then, an annual income of 50,000 yuan should not be counted as a profit. Because the money has to be repaid.
In this way, Marx made the capitalists carry an extra 50,000 yuan of surplus value to exploit the black cauldron.
Question 4: Suppose the capitalists lose money, do the capitalists still have surplus value, and there is still exploitation?
Suppose, the capitalists lose money, and who exploits the capitalists?
Question 5: Workers can get paid for their work, but should capitalists get paid after they are busy, and should they support their families?
The answer, of course, is yes.
In this way, the capitalist's gross income should be a capitalist's salary in addition to the worker's wages.
Therefore, this part of wages should not be counted as surplus value, nor should it be counted as exploitation.
In other words, Marx treated the workers as human beings – they should be paid. But the capitalists are not seen as adults – they are not supposed to be paid.
Therefore, Marx's theory of surplus value and exploitation is problematic.