User:Dpchamilton/sandbox
Publications
[edit]Kelly emphasizes the need for a theoretical background prior to engaging in philanthropic work. Without such background, she argues, the type of philanthropic work chosen will most likely reproduce the current capitalist socioeconomic system that leads to the need for philanthropic work in the first place. In essence, one needs theoretical preparation in order to treat the causes rather than the symptoms.
She argues for this by distinguishing between two types of philanthropy: bourgeois philanthropy and philanthropy of the working class. Bourgeois philanthropy “aims to give back to the workers a little bit of what our social system robs them of, propping up the system longer,” (92) thus it is fundamentally palliative, preserving the current system in place. Philanthropy of the working class, on the other hand, aims to weaken the capitalist system through goals such as shortening the work day and limiting the working of children. These measures result in a lower amount of surplus value produced which is antithetical to the capitalist system.
After such a theoretical preparation, Kelley concludes that real philanthropic work consists in elevating class consciousness.
Kelly argues that it is the responsibility of the consumer to use their buying power to discourage moral ills regarding work conditions, such as child labor. Succinctly put, she argues for the modern phrase, “vote with your dollar.” Further, in order to judge labor conditions, she argues that citizens must demand adequate statistics about such conditions from their state and federal governments.
Provides a brief history of the beginnings of minimum wage legislation in England and the United States. Kelley cautions the states against drawing up too quickly a hastily and poorly written law such that a court may strike it down thereby setting a precedent for similar laws. Finally, Kelly briefly explores how society ultimately bears the cost for not paying a sufficient minimum wage, through caring for the poor and through the maintenance of prisons.
- ^ a b Kish., Sklar, Kathryn; Congress), Paul Avrich Collection (Library of (1986-01-01). Notes of sixty years : the autobiography of Florence Kelley ; with an early essay by the author on the need of theoretical preparation for philathropic work. Published for the Illinois Labor History Society by the C.H. Kerr Pub. Co. pp. 91–104. ISBN 0882860933. OCLC 13818491.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kelley, Florence (1908). "The Responsibility of the Consumer". The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 32: 108–112.
- ^ Kelley, Florence (1913). "The Present Status of Minimum Wage Legislation" (PDF). Proceedings of the National Conference of Charities and Correction. National Consumers' League.