Mineral capitalism’s labor demands favored strength and youth over skill and experience

Evidence

Contemporary liberal societies view ascribed status systems like feudalism or racism as insidious. The modern ideal is to organize society as a system of achieved status, where a higher position is based on personal achievements rather than immutable characteristics. The first challenge to ascribed status arrived with capitalism, as businesspeople could earn esteem and status benefits through amassing fortunes alone. — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 83 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Capitalism calibrates incentives to make workers risk death for subsistence — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 194; Capitalism historically challenged ascribed status by rewarding fortune — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 83

Broader Connections

• Capitalism historically challenged ascribed status by rewarding fortune #complicates (0.75) — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 83