How are social relationships shaped by different aspects of capitalism? How do different configurations of social relationships shape specific capitalism economies, global or local?
“Were those transfers gifts or compensation? If gifts, Kritzik had to pay gift tax on the money; if compensation the sisters had to pay income tax” (Zelizer 829). This quote from the first case described by Zelizer showcases that a simple exchange of funds in an interpersonal relationship can be monitored and have legal repercussions. The connection of money, taxation, and capitalism creates a market for legal action to be taken. For personal matters such as receiving a divorce, getting married, or just being in a long term relationship, court is often included. With court comes court fees, lawyer fees, and many more costs. This creates a sense that personal relationships are ruled by capitalism as these are all seen as necessary services. As well as the idea of womens sexulaity being owned by men being connected often with divorce. The type of defined relationship also calls into question how one is taxed. If a domesticate partners exchanges money, then it is tax free. Where as a lover-mistress or patron-prostitute exchange would be taxed. Although in differing ways. In the lover-mistress scenario it is the lover who is taxed (which resembles the ideologie that it is the man’s duty to finance his female counterpart). While in the patron-prostitute scenario it is the prostitute that is taxed for “income” (which appears as a punishment for sexuality). These legal cases all boil down to the label of the social relationship. After deciding the social relationship, the legal rulings are made. Thus showcasing that capitalism has shaped social relationships to the point that social relationships now define the compensation.
In respect to The Work of Waiting, social relationships are immensely shaped by the aspect of capitalism involved. in the wake of China's economic reform, the Korean Wind has brought about a passion for going to Korea in seek of work. The Korean wing has driven rapid urbanization and dramatic economic development while also introducing a multidimensional mobility. Due to the capitalistic Korean Wind, relationships have been strained in response to an increase in botoli; the single spouse or waiting partner. This is brought about a 'social illness' which is characterized by loneliness and waiting. It has exacerbated high divorce rates and juvenile delinquency while also providing a temporality of everyday life. "Waiting for love and money within migratory contexts constitutes a form of unwaged affective work that can generate not only a financial safety net but also a binding commitment between divided parties," (Kwon 480). Waiting also constitutes a moral economy who bring themselves together across distance by dealing with the challenges posed by absence and separation.
ReplyDeleteIn respect to specific capitalism economies, the Korean Wind provided a mass market for illegal immigration. This field is expensive and dangerous, but has been established due to people looking for work.