Labour Studies 1 C 03 Sept 16 Theories

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Sept 16 Theories of work Slide 1

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Classic Theories of Work • Karl Marx – Conflict • Adam Smith – Competition • Max Weber – Rationality (symbolic practice) Slide 2

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Feudalism: Subsistence Hours worked Slide 3 = Money required to sustain life

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Capitalism: Profit + Hours worked Slide 4 = Money required to sustain life = Market price of good

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Surplus value: a source of conflict Surplus value Profit + Money required to sustain life Slide 5 Who owns surplus value?

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Class according to Marx Bourgeoisie Petit Bourgeoisie Lumpen proletariat Slide 6 Proletariat

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Surplus value leads to… ALIENATION Slide 7

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Smith • Competition and exchange are “natural” • The “invisible hand” • “Division of labour” Slide 8

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Weber • “Rationality” or rules-based • Bureaucracy Slide 9

Labour Studies 1 C 03 20 th Century Industry and Bureaucracy • Bureaucracy is: – Fixed jurisdiction for authority – Hierarchy – “The files” – Expert training – Full-time work – Fixed rules • Weber’s bureaucracy was an “ideal type” Slide 10

Labour Studies 1 C 03 What’s wrong with bureaucracy? Slide 11

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Human Capital Theory • Get back what you invest Slide 12

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Contemporary • Harry Braverman – ? • Richard Edwards – ? • Michael Burawoy – ? • Rosabeth Moss Kanter – ? Slide 13

Labour Studies 1 C 03 Conflict, Competition, or Rationality? What shapes work today? Slide 14