Sociology 31, Fall 1998, Prof. Aldrich
September 8th 1998
Summary
1. Relations between workers and owners
2. Control of production techniques -- in hands of workers, as in cooperatives and guilds; in hands of merchant capitalist, as in putting out system; or in hands of capitalist owner?
1. Change in the rhythm of work
2. Control and discipline easier to administer
3. Savings in time for the merchant/capitalist
4. Owner could set up a division of labor
5. Division of labor and more control by owner made it feasible for owner to buy machinery
1. Why did employers set up a division of labor? Why not have highly skilled jacks of all trades?
2. What kind of workers did RPS -- the firm studied by Steve Guarracino -- hire? And for what kind of work?
3. What is distinctive about human labor power versus the labor of animals such as birds, spiders, and bees?
4. Did we tap the distinct features of human labor power with our exercise? Why or why not?