Juliet Schor: Why do we work so hard?

Summary

The script discusses the impact of capitalism on work hours, noting historical increases during industrialization and subsequent decreases in some countries post-1970. It emphasizes the power dynamics between employers and employees, suggesting employers often prefer longer work hours. The script also links work hours to environmental concerns, proposing that technological advancements could be used to reduce work hours and carbon footprints, rather than increasing production.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Capitalism's impact on work-life balance varies over time, with periods of increased work hours historically.
• 🏭 The Industrial Revolution saw extreme work hours, especially for women and children, with health and life-threatening conditions.
• 📉 From 1870 to 1970, work hours decreased in early industrializing countries, reflecting changes in labor conditions.
• 🌐 Post-1970, there's been a divergence in work hours trends between the US, UK, and continental Europe/Japan.
• 💼 The balance of power between employers and employees significantly influences work hours, with employers often favoring longer hours.
• 🤝 Workers' collective bargaining, such as through unions, can counteract employer pressure for longer work hours.
• 🛠 Technological advancements can be used to either increase production or provide more leisure time, reflecting societal choices.
• 🌳 How societies utilize productivity gains can have significant ecological implications, affecting environmental sustainability.
• 🌍 Countries with longer work hours tend to have higher carbon footprints, suggesting a link between work culture and environmental impact.
• ⏰ The decision over work hours is critical for workers' quality of life and should consider both economic growth and personal well-being.

Q & A

How did the development of industrial capitalism affect working hours in the late 18th century?

The development of industrial capitalism in the late 18th century led to increases in working hours, with the working day getting longer and people, especially women and children, working extremely long hours, sometimes up to 16 or 18 hours a day.

What was the trend in working hours from 1870 to 1970 in early industrializing countries?

From 1870 to 1970, there was a decrease in working hours across all early industrializing countries.

How has the pattern of working hours changed since 1970 in different regions?

Since 1970, there has been a divergence in working hours. In continental Europe and Japan, people have continued to work less, while in the United States and the UK, the pattern has changed with some data suggesting people are working the same amount and other data suggesting they are working more.

What factors contribute to the increase in working hours in the United States and the UK?

The increase in working hours in the United States and the UK can be attributed to the balance of power between employers and employees. When employers are more powerful, there is more unemployment, and it's harder for people to get jobs, they tend to push people to work longer hours.

Why do employers generally prefer longer working hours?

Employers generally prefer longer working hours because it leads to higher rates of production and economic growth.

How does the conventional theory view the choice of working hours?

The conventional theory suggests that there is a market in hours where workers choose their hours and employers respond to that choice.

What does the research, including the speaker's own, suggest about who sets working hours?

Research, including the speaker's own, suggests that it is actually employers who set working hours, not the workers. Workers choose their jobs, and when they take a job, there are hours that tend to go with it.

What is the role of technological advancement in determining how societies use their productivity?

Technological advancement can be used by societies to either produce more goods or to give people more free time. This is an important question for wealthy societies where basic needs have been met.

How does the distribution of productivity growth affect the environment?

If technological advancement is used to produce more, it puts heavy and unsustainable pressure on the environment, particularly with carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases.

What is the relationship between working hours and carbon footprint according to the speaker's research?

The speaker's research finds that countries with longer working hours have higher carbon footprints, while countries that have used technological improvement to reduce working hours have been able to reduce their carbon footprints.

What is the implication of using productivity growth to give people more free time?

Using productivity growth to give people more free time can lead to a reduction in ecological impact and carbon footprint, as it allows for the same amount of production with less work.