What does Pearce argue about laws that seem beneficial to the working class?

Pearce argues that laws which appear beneficial to the working class actually serve a deeper purpose of maintaining the capitalist system's image of benevolence and concern for the welfare of workers. This perspective highlights how such laws, while seemingly protective, are strategically designed to reinforce the legitimacy and stability of capitalism itself. By creating a façade of care, these laws can prevent discontent among the working class and reduce the likelihood of social unrest, which ultimately supports the broader interests of the capitalist system.

This approach is significant because it challenges the notion that laws are purely altruistic or protective. Instead, Pearce's argument suggests that even seemingly positive legal measures can have a functional role in perpetuating the economic structure that exploits the working class, thereby portraying those in power as caring and responsible, while subtly ensuring the status quo remains intact.