Understanding the Implications of Postone's Category of Superfluous Labor Time

Deepseek explains how labor that produces no value flourishes under capitalism

The Persistence of Superfluous Labor Time in Conditions of Absolute Overaccumulation: A Marxian Analysis

The concept of absolute overaccumulation of capital, as articulated by Karl Marx in Capital, represents a critical limit to capitalist expansion. It describes a situation where additional capital cannot generate additional surplus value, leading to a steep fall in the rate of profit and a systemic crisis. Logically, one might expect production to halt entirely under such conditions, as capital can no longer be valorized. However, as Moishe Postone’s concept of "superfluous labor time" suggests, production does not cease. Instead, labor continues to be expended even when it no longer contributes to the production of surplus value. This essay explores the dynamics of absolute overaccumulation and examines why superfluous labor time emerges, highlighting the contradictions and irrationalities of the capitalist system.

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Absolute Overaccumulation: The Limits of Capitalist Expansion

Marx defines absolute overaccumulation as a situation where the growth of capital outstrips the capacity of the laboring population to produce surplus value. At this point, neither the absolute working-time nor the relative surplus labor-time can be expanded further. The increased capital (C + ΔC) produces no more, or even less, surplus value than before its expansion. This leads to a sharp decline in the rate of profit, as the organic composition of capital (the ratio of constant capital to variable capital) rises, reducing the proportion of surplus value relative to total capital.

In this scenario, all forms of capital—constant capital (machinery, raw materials), variable capital (labor power), commodity capital (goods produced), and money capital—become overaccumulated. The system reaches a point where it can no longer expand through the exploitation of labor and the accumulation of capital. Logically, this should result in a halt to production, as capital can no longer be valorized. Yet, as Postone’s concept of superfluous labor time suggests, production continues, and labor is still expended, even when it is no longer productive in terms of generating surplus value.

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The Emergence of Superfluous Labor Time

Postone’s concept of "superfluous labor time" refers to labor that is no longer necessary for the production of surplus value but continues to be expended under capitalism. This labor is "superfluous" in the sense that it does not contribute to the valorization of capital, yet it persists due to the structural imperatives of the capitalist system. To understand why this happens, we must examine the mechanisms that allow production to continue even in conditions of absolute overaccumulation.

1. Systemic Imperatives of Capitalism

Capitalism is driven by the imperative to accumulate capital, regardless of whether this accumulation is productive or not. Even in conditions of absolute overaccumulation, the system continues to function, albeit in a distorted and crisis-ridden manner. Production does not halt entirely because the system seeks to preserve itself and find new avenues for accumulation. This drive for accumulation creates a situation where labor continues to be expended, even when it is no longer productive in terms of generating surplus value.

2. Devaluation of Capital and Crisis Management

In a crisis of overaccumulation, capital is devalued through mechanisms such as bankruptcies, asset write-downs, or inflation. This devaluation temporarily restores profitability by reducing the total mass of capital relative to surplus value, allowing production to continue in a diminished form. Additionally, the state often intervenes to sustain production and employment during crises, even if this means supporting unproductive or "superfluous" labor. For example, public works programs, subsidies to failing industries, or the expansion of the service sector can absorb labor that would otherwise be unemployed.

3. Speculative and Unproductive Activities

When productive investment becomes unprofitable, capital flows into speculative activities (e.g., financial markets, real estate bubbles) or unproductive sectors (e.g., luxury goods, entertainment). These activities do not generate surplus value but continue to absorb labor and resources. The growth of the financial sector, in particular, exemplifies this dynamic, as capital seeks returns through speculation rather than productive investment.

4. Technological Change and the Service Sector

Advances in technology can render certain forms of labor obsolete, but the system continues to employ workers in unproductive or low-productivity roles. This is particularly evident in the growth of the service sector, where many jobs do not contribute directly to surplus value production. While these jobs may be socially necessary, they are "superfluous" in terms of the valorization of capital.

5. Globalization and Spatial Fixes

In a globalized economy, overaccumulation in one region can be offset by expansion in another. Capital may flow to developing countries where labor is cheaper and new markets can be exploited, allowing production to continue on a global scale. This spatial fix temporarily alleviates the crisis of overaccumulation but does not resolve the underlying contradictions of the system.

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The Contradiction of Superfluous Labor Time

The persistence of superfluous labor time in conditions of absolute overaccumulation highlights a fundamental contradiction of capitalism. On the one hand, the system is structurally dependent on labor as the source of value, even when labor is no longer productive in terms of generating surplus value. On the other hand, the drive for accumulation overrides the rational use of resources and labor, leading to the continued expenditure of labor in unproductive or speculative activities.

This contradiction reflects the irrationality of capitalism, where the imperative to accumulate capital takes precedence over the needs of society. In conditions of absolute overaccumulation, this irrationality becomes particularly acute. The system is unable to generate surplus value through productive investment, yet it continues to absorb labor in unproductive or speculative activities. This leads to a situation where labor is both necessary (for social and economic stability) and superfluous (in terms of surplus value production).

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Conclusion

The concept of superfluous labor time provides a powerful lens for understanding the persistence of production in conditions of absolute overaccumulation. While Marx’s analysis suggests that capitalism should halt when it reaches its limits, the system’s structural imperatives and adaptive mechanisms allow it to continue functioning, albeit in a crisis-ridden and irrational manner. Labor continues to be expended, even when it is no longer productive in terms of generating surplus value, reflecting the deep-seated contradictions of a system that prioritizes accumulation over rational resource allocation.

Postone’s concept thus highlights the irrationality of capitalism, where the drive for accumulation overrides the needs of society and the rational use of labor. In conditions of absolute overaccumulation, this irrationality becomes particularly stark, as the system continues to expend labor in unproductive or speculative activities, even when it can no longer generate surplus value. This dynamic underscores the need for a fundamental transformation of the social relations of production, moving beyond the contradictions and irrationalities of capitalism toward a more rational and equitable system.