labour process- organisation, control and skill

Question 1

what is the division of labour?

Answer 1

the way work is broken into specialised tasks performed by different individuals or groups
- Durkheim: the division of labour creates social cohesion through interdependence and organic solidarity
- Marx: the division of labour causes alienation by separating workers from the whole production process
(while functionalists see division of labour as beneficial for society, marxists emphasise its dehumanising effects on workers)

Question 2

what is alienation (Marx)?

Answer 2

alienation refers to the enstrangement of workers from their work and self in capitalist systems, characterised by:
1. alienation from the product of labour
2. alienation from the labour process
3. alienation from other workers
4. alienation from self (creativity and potential)
- Marxists highlight the psychological harm caused by capitalist labour conditions

Question 3

what is Bravermans theory of deskilling?

Answer 3

Braverman argued that capitalism systematically reduces workers skills through scientific management and automation to increase control and reduce labour costs
- Post-Fordism challenges de-skilling, suggesting some sectors have re-skilled workers with flexible, knowledge-based tasks

Question 4

what is Fordism?

Answer 4

fordism refers to modern labour organisation characterised by flexible, team-based, and knowledge-intensive work rather than mass production
- Castells: the Information Age creates decentralised, networked production systems requiring adaptable and skilled labour
- tech companies like google emphasise creativity and teamwork in a flexible work environment
- fordism offers more worker autonomy but also creates job insecurity and a demand for constant reskilling