The author, Eric Eustace Williams, presents a mixed view on the question, “is free labour more profitable than slave labour?”. He does not say, “yes” or “no” directly; rather he gives a detailed analysis of the two types of labour. In this essay, I will argue that free labour and slave labour are equally profitable because both types are beneficial and detrimental. For instance, free labour is cheap but it does not guarantee quality work. Slave labour guarantees quality work but it costs more than cheap labour. There are quite a few reasons for and against both types of labour, but neither is more superior. I will also explain the role played by African slaves in the development of new world capitalism and why they were preferred over Indian and indentured slaves. One of the many reasons, for example, was that they were stronger and more durable than the others. The realities of the staple crop production will be compared with the civilization-savagery theme in Conrad's Heart of Darkness as well. This essay will be organized in such a way that free labour and slave labour is discussed first, Williams analysis second, and the comparison of the civilization-savagery theme with the realities of the staple crop production will be discussed in the end.
But before I begin, I would like to point out a few …show more content…
Free labour and slave labour have both been occurring for centuries, since the Roman & Greek empires all the way through modern United States and several other countries and continents such as India, Europe, and Asia. Both types of labour employed slaves of all colours; black, brown, white, etc. Slave labour is forced, unpaid employment. Free labour is paid, unforced employment. Slavery, also known as unfree labour, has been accepted in society for centuries. Free labour has been around for a while too. A thorough examination of free labour and slave labour will be
But before I begin, I would like to point out a few …show more content…
Free labour and slave labour have both been occurring for centuries, since the Roman & Greek empires all the way through modern United States and several other countries and continents such as India, Europe, and Asia. Both types of labour employed slaves of all colours; black, brown, white, etc. Slave labour is forced, unpaid employment. Free labour is paid, unforced employment. Slavery, also known as unfree labour, has been accepted in society for centuries. Free labour has been around for a while too. A thorough examination of free labour and slave labour will be