Sentence:  If laborers are merely commodities <WSD>competing</WSD> against each other in a market place like so many bags of wheat and corn ( unsupported , by the way , by any agricultural subsidy ) , then they may be pardoned for reacting with complete antagonism to a system that imposes such status upon them . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others