E-Book Overview
"Against the background of increasing interest in the changing nature and quality of work, The Political Economy of Work offers a new and unique assessment of the theoretical analysis of work. The author challenges some common preconceptions about work and promotes an original approach to the field, contemplating the nature and development of ideas on work and its impact on human well-being drawing on such burgeoning literatures as the 'economics of happiness'." "Spencer approaches the subject through a careful examination of the history of thought on work over the last three hundred years. A key focus is the development of ideas on work in mainstream economics, starting with the mercantilists and the classical economists, and continuing with neoclassical economists (e.g. Jevons, Marshall). The contributions of modern approaches including the new 'information-theoretic' economics and the new 'economics of happiness' are also discussed. The author sees flaws in the depiction of work in mainstream economics and instead draws insight from the writings of critics of the mainstream paradigm, such as the nineteenth century 'utopian' writers (Godwin, Fourier, Carlyle, Ruskin, Morris), Marx, and the old institutional economists (Commons, Veblen). The alternative approach outlined in the book stresses the barriers to rewarding work under capitalism and develops a case for radical change in the organisation of work." "The book cuts across different disciplinary boundaries and is likely to appeal to researchers in a number of different fields, including labour economics, labour history, the sociology of work, industrial relations, and human resource management. It will appeal to all those who wish to promote a more critical understanding of the role that work can and ought to play in society."--BOOK JACKET. Read more... Introduction -- In the sweat of thy brow: concepts of work in pre-classical and classical economics -- Work contra the classical economists: pro-work sentiments in the late eightenth and nineteenth centuries -- The Marxian view of work -- From pain cost to opportunity cost: the eclipse of the quality of work as a factor in economic theory -- Institutional perspectives on work -- Mainstream economics and the hidden abode of production -- Conclusion
E-Book Content
What can economics tell us about work? To answer this question, David Spencer has investigated the role that work has played in economic theory, from the time of the industrial revolution till the present day. With the surprising range of perspectives he uncovers he delivers a sharp critique to modern-day neoclassical orthodoxy, and to recent theories of happiness at work. This is a deeply insightful book that should oblige labour economists and sociologists to think further about their most basic assumptions. Francis Green, University of Kent This book raises fundamental issues around the political economy of work. It does so through comprehensive command of, and yet judicious critical selection from, appropriate contributions from the history of economic thought and radical political economy. As such, it offers an invaluable contribution to the study of work, going beyond current alternatives in both mainstream economics and other subjects such as human resource management Ben Fine, University of London In The Political Economy of Work, David Spencer uniquely accomplishes three things that are difficult to do in a single text: he introduces economists to important aspects of work that have been neglected in the mainstream economics literature; introduces non-economists to important aspects of work that have been neglected in the literature on the sociology of work (broadly defined); and uses historical analysis to critically assess important examples of contemporary theory (e.g. happiness research). The result is a concise and very readable, interdisciplinary approach t