Conventional wisdom holds that Capitalism depends on the exploitation of 'free labor.' This volume challenges those ideas.

Tom Brass: Ph.D Phil (1982) formerly lectured in the SPS Faculty at Cambridge University and directed studies for Queens' College. He edited The Journal of Peasant Studies for almost two decades, and has published extensively on agrarian issues and rural labour relations.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. The Smithian Inheritance
2. The Marxist Inheritance
3. Semi-Feudalism and Modern Marxism
4. 'Disguised' Wage Labour and Modern Marxism
5. Unfreedom as Primitive Accumulation?
6. Germany and the United States: 'Primitive' or 'Fully Functioning' Accumulation?
7. 'Medieval Working Practices'? British Agriculture and the Return of the Gangmaster
8. Citizenship and Human Rights - or Socialism?
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index