The Edukators Sparknotes

Similar to Karl Marx’s analysis of class struggle in capitalism, the young activists, Jan, Peter, and Jules, saw the capitalist system as being greedy and exploitative which produced a growing disparity in the living conditions between the rich and the poor. A good example of the type of exploitative social relationship that Marx and the activists based their capitalist ideology on can be seen in the first scene of the film, “The Edukators,” during the anti-sweatshop protest which involved the sale of high priced sneakers that were made by sweatshop labor in Southeast Asia. Jules and the other activists were not only protesting unfair wages and the horrible conditions the workers were subjected to, but they were also trying to educate the consumers about how the workers were being exploited by this business because of the customer’s willingness to buy the expensive sneakers, ignoring the plight of the workers. The greedy
employer, who controlled the means of production, benefitted financially from the cheap labor by selling the sneakers at a much higher price then what it cost to manufacture them. This markup in price produced a surplus value (profit) for the employer, but not for the workers. As the activists and Marx point out, the employer expands its capital at the expense of the workers, but these workers end up with a guaranteed lifetime of poverty and unhappiness. In addition to the exploitive nature of capitalism, Jan, Jules, and Peter were very conscious of the increasing inequality that existed between the living conditions of the rich and the poor.
They were critical in their assessment of Hardenberg’s wealthy lifestyle versus their own extremely poor lifestyle. Hardenberg lived in the lap of luxury and could afford a lavish home, an indoor swimming pool, a boat, and a lot of other things. His way of life was vastly different from the cramped, squalid surroundings of the three young activists who struggled to make ends meet. In addition, Hardenberg acknowledged that his wealth provided many privileges, such as being able to take family vacations, and affording an expensive attorney that saddled young Jules with a buttload of debt after an auto accident that involved their vehicles. But according to Hardy, being wealthy had its pitfalls because he rarely had time to enjoy all the luxuries he accumulated because he is was too busy earning money in order to live the expensive lifestyle his family
enjoyed. To sum it up, the activists validated their view of a capitalist system that was greedy and exploitative with the sweatshop labor scenario because it exemplified the basic struggle many individuals in the working class experience today in the underlying workings of capitalism in which they receive low wages in exchange for long hours of labor. Reflecting on today’s capitalist system, if a greater majority of employers offered a profit sharing plan that provided all workers, instead of just those in the upper echelon, a percentage of the profits earned by the company, they too could afford to live comfortably and save for the future. Some who would disagree probably believe that the meritorious advancement process that dangles entitlements for those who academically excel, but for many, who lack the necessary education for advancement, life continues to follow a downhill spiral. Finally, the activists point in relation to the growing disparity in living conditions between the rich and poor continues to hold true today. Even though many in the wealthy upper class would disagree, people like Hardenberg, who are well off financially, continue to indulge in extravagant homes and expensive toys. They appear to be obsessed with earning more wealth, and for the most part, seem to be oblivious to the situation of those that live around them who are less privileged.