The term describes a situation where one entity unfairly benefits from the labor or resources of another. This often involves an imbalance of power, resulting in the unjust appropriation of value. For example, a company paying workers significantly less than the value they generate, or a nation extracting resources from another under inequitable terms, could be viewed as exhibiting this phenomenon.
Understanding the concept is critical for analyzing social and economic inequalities. Awareness of these dynamics allows for scrutiny of business practices, trade agreements, and policy decisions, contributing to efforts toward fairer and more equitable systems. Historically, the pursuit of profit and resources has frequently involved such practices, often perpetuating cycles of disadvantage.
