Governments redirect working-class discontent against weaker groups to enable capital-friendly policy
Evidence
Worldwide, political parties and governments benefit from these internal antagonisms within the working class. Especially in times of high social discontent, they fan the flames of hatred among the weak, directing it against those even weaker. Restrictive immigration laws—introduced not coincidentally after the end of colonialism and slavery—are framed as protections for working-class citizens but actually fabricate the political conditions for further economic confiscation that benefits capital accumulation—namely, a body of workers exceptionally vulnerable to the demands of capital. — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 259
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Racist power relations recodify so capital can dominate new groups; Ethnic divisions within a working class can be exploited to strengthen capitalist rule; Anti-control politics must invent discontent forms beyond wages — Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism: Is There No…, 68