Surplus-producing labour as a capability: a Marxian contribution to Amartya Sen’s revival of classical political economy

Labour is construed as an income-generating capacity or as creative activity in the capabilities approach. This rendition misses a vital capability that Marx articulates: labour as a potential to produce surplus. Accordingly, following Marx, I define labour as the ability, freedom and willingness to produce more than what labourers deem necessary to sustain themselves. I argue each has this capability and should willingly realise it in accordance with their ability. With this definition, additional questions arise as to who should appropriate the surplus or receive a portion of it. I contend that each, irrespective of their role in production, should have the capability to appropriate surplus, just as each should have the capability to claim and receive a portion of the surplus according to their needs. I finish by showing the prevalent normative framework of the capitalist economy, ‘equal rights and equal exchange’, is nothing other than exclusive rights (capabilities) and unequal exchange, which results in exploitation, now defined as a violation of capabilities equality. By contrast, I call for a non-exclusive, ‘radical equality’ à la Sen: no one is excluded from participating in or having access to any moment of this surplus economy, one that is non-exploitative and communal, as each capability is extended to each individual.