Matewan and Norma Rae Essay -- Capitalism Feudalism Economics Essays

Matewan and Norma RaeTheoretically, the characters of both Matewan, and Norma Rae take part in a capitalistic alliance. In both placements the people are partaking in a form of perseverance market, where they are selling their time and energy. However, the town of Matewan, governed by the cavity kitty Coal Companies monopoly on the land and businesses, and isolated by distance and special technology, as fallen into a feudalistic condition. Despite the fact that Norma Raes littler hometown of Alabama bears a great resemblance to the town of Matewan, their economic situation remains a form of capitalism. Though the Henely hoagy is a dominate force in the minute town, with a strong financial predominate over the citizens, it is not as dictatorial of the society as the infernal region Mountain Coal Company is over Matewan.In signing the Stone Mountain Coal Companys contract the scorch miners did not simply play off to sell the corporation their time and labor they signed a way their lives. In a capitalistic society one goes to work in an labor of their choosing, is compensated with a fair wage. In such a society the business one works for has no authority over where their workers eat, sleep, or spend their leisure hours. However, the town of Matewan is trapped under the hegemonic power of the char company. The coal company has a monopoly over the predominant natural resources in the area. Their ownership is not only limited to the coalmines, but to the general store, and the much of the towns lodgment. Within the bonding contract of the mine workers are forbidden to deprave their supplies from anywhere other than the general store, and are forced to reside in the coal companys housing. The coal company enforces this by paying their workers in company script... ... were not only forced to reside in company housing and buy for the company store, but were also forbidden to launch a union. Norma Rae, and her fellow workers, were not under a binding contract to the Henely Mill and were tied to the organization only when working on the grounds. Due to their contractual agreement, or lack thereof, the Henely Mill workers held the legal rights to form a union, where the coal miners were banned from us and undertaking. A union formation was possible in Norma Raes town due to one essential element the legal rights, and presidential term support. This was made possible by the time frame, and the geographical location of the small Alabama town. Ruperts odyssey to begin a union was fully supported by the U.S. government he held the rights to inspect the mill, put up notices, and converse with the workers on their off hours and breaks.