exploitation
ek-sploi-TAY-shun
/ˌek.splɔɪˈteɪ.ʃən/
The act of taking unfair advantage of a person or resource for profit or benefit.
In sociology and political economy, it refers specifically to extracting surplus value from workers without giving them full equivalent compensation.
The story behind the word. Originally derived from Latin 'explicare' (to unfold or unroll), the word moved into Old French as 'esploit' meaning an achievement or productive yield. By the 19th century, industrial expansion shifted the meaning from 'unfolding natural resources' to systematically squeezing profit out of human workers.
Word relationships
- utilization: 'Utilization' is neutral resource usage, whereas 'exploitation' carries a strong connotation of unfair treatment or extraction.
- abuse: 'Abuse' implies general harm, whereas 'exploitation' specifically targets extracting economic or social advantage.
- empowerment: Empowerment gives power and control to individuals rather than draining their efforts for outside profit.
Commonly confused with
- exploration: Exploration is investigating the unknown, whereas exploitation is capitalizing on a resource or person.
Word family
- exploit (verb): To take unfair advantage of something or someone.
- exploitative (adjective): Unfairly treating someone for personal gain.
Collocations
- economic exploitation
- ruthless exploitation
- labor exploitation
- exploitation of natural resources
Example sentences
- "Critics argue that overseas sweatshops are built on the economic exploitation of vulnerable populations." Global trade policy commentary.
- "Capital is dead labour, that, vampire-like, only lives by sucking living labour, and lives the more, the more labour it sucks; this is the essence of exploitation." Economic analysis of surplus value. (Karl Marx, Das Kapital (1867))
Memory hook
EX-PLOIT: EX-tracting profit from PLO-ying people unfairly. Squeezing extra profit out of vulnerable people.
When not to use
Avoid using it when discussing mutually beneficial voluntary trade without power imbalances.
Fun facts
- In video gaming, an 'exploit' refers to taking advantage of a glitch or bug to gain an unintended edge.
Related words
Explore more words
exploit, take advantage of, parasitic, vulnerability, free-rider, coerce
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