Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

El_Johns

(1,805 posts)

1. Traditionally, though, serfs had rights to a percent of the harvest, a patch of land to grow their

Reply to alberg (Original post)

Tue Jan 21, 2014, 12:32 PM

Jan 2014

own crops on, the use of their own tools, etc. Serfs had the right to access capital (land & its resources).

I'd say "free" workers are better than serfs, because the owners don't owe "free" labor anything but whatever paycheck is agreed to.

I take your point though.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Serfs are better than slaves. [View all] alberg Jan 2014 OP

Traditionally, though, serfs had rights to a percent of the harvest, a patch of land to grow their El_Johns Jan 2014 #1

Traditions have been known to change! atreides1 Jan 2014 #3

But when you don't have feudal rights, it's no longer serfdom. It's "free labor capitalism". El_Johns Jan 2014 #17

Many a time I've thought of this as a rerun of Medieval Times. Incisive distinction. libdem4life Jan 2014 #2

Serfs is a poor word choice but the message is right on. Coyotl Jan 2014 #4

So this is what have become of DU Hutzpa Jan 2014 #5

It's not prejudice, it's sarcasm, satire, irony and outrage. alberg Jan 2014 #6

I got it... fadedrose Jan 2014 #7

Ofcourse it's meant no harm to you Hutzpa Jan 2014 #9

He should have put a "sarcasm" thingy fadedrose Jan 2014 #13

Then I'm afraid it's a poor attempt at sarcasm Hutzpa Jan 2014 #10

It looks like most people gaspee Jan 2014 #12

I think it is a brilliant insight. Big Blue Marble Jan 2014 #14

I see no prejudice. El_Johns Jan 2014 #18

Saw first hand a modern system of serfdom in the last century. Cleita Jan 2014 #8

ever since maybe the 1760s (in Russia) it's been serfs! with! capital! MisterP Jan 2014 #15

The tragedy of the commons. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #11

Some time ago (last year, maybe?) another DUer coined the term "free-range slaves" for the same idea July Jan 2014 #16