Films on Demand- WE THE ECONOMY: The Value of Work

This video explains the effects that minimum wage has on people's lives and
ability to be able to function as contributors to society. The video outlines how rising
minimum wages will help more people function and afford the basic amenities needed for
survival. The video also points out that Washington DC had the highest minimum wage
in all of America. Additionally, the state of Seattle voted to gradually increase the state
minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour, thus providing workers a much better chance as
surviving and being able to take care of themselves and their families. This subject is so
touchy because there are so many Americans who suffer from a lack or inability to
maintain financial stability. Most of these people have family and children who are
unable to work, earn money and contribute, so most of the weight lies upon individual
shoulders. The falls right in line with several of the theoretical perspectives discussed
within text.
Auguste Comte would argue that this video demonstrates so much of his positive
philosophy in practicality. The idea that people are empowered by the information that
they demand and seek in order to invoke change, is well displayed within the context of
this video. Comte would interpret this video was one that further proves his theory that
the information retrieved from calculated experiences is the integral component to
withholding the knowledge that allows for people to force chances within society.
Validated data is undeniable. This video proves how arduous it is for any individual to try
to survive and provide for a family while earning fewer than 9 dollars an hour. This video
shows how the push for change would have never been accessible without the struggle to

begin with.
On the other hand, Karl Marx would view this video as a tool that further proves
how capitalism creates turmoil. The conflict of interest between employees and business
owners is the balance of financial stability. The role of a business is to create as much
profit as possible while saving as many costs. Paying employees is a conflict of interest to
the employers because while they are needed to keep the business running, they also
require the rights to the money that they have earned. Karl Marx would posit that this
dynamic validates how difficult it is for society to run when operating in a system like
this, where advantages and disadvantages separate people and leverage is weighed by the
party that withhold the most power.
Emile Durkheim would view this video as a study of how important it is to
account for all of the internal variables that society is based upon: laws, beliefs, customs,
values etc. Durkheim would address this video and recognize it as a breakdown of how
the underlying conflicting interests bring out the differences in moral codes, norms, daily
routines and even core values. Durkheim would acknowledge the reality that this struggle
to raise the minimum wage to a fair level for all people is just one small segment of a
much bigger and complex set of issues that must be worked through.
I personally believe that this video best represents the functionalist perspective.
While the debate on which side is most correct and fair concerning minimum wage,
society must continue. There are millions of Americans who struggle for fairness, equal
rights and treatment. However, the most practical truth is that all components of society
are related and if the flaws in the labor force are disfigured, then it means that there are
economic concerns in many other areas that must be addressed as well. People will

always work. You must work to survive. Although the gap in the social classes are
widening, there must be a way to manage the disparity. It is better by far to deal with the
unfairness by serving, but to also be aware of the effects and vigilant for change, rather
than being idle and apathetic toward the process.