ABSTRACT
As we saw in Chapter 1, there is a distinctly pessimistic streak in the writings of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim about work. When later social thinkers develop a more concrete vision of a post-work society, we can see the influences of those forebears. Marx saw a possible ‘end of work’-based society, which could be achieved through technology, Weber envisaged increasing rationalisation, and Durkheim pointed to a complex division of labour that would lack a defining centre. These writers leave a lasting impression on sociology: an impression that modern work would be transformed by organisation and technology; organisational imperatives would overlay social relations with technical ones; and technology would eliminate huge numbers of jobs, deskilling others. In a modern, rationalised world, a utopia of labour that inspired many social thinkers and labour movements would not survive the forces of rationalisation. So hopes for a democratic workplace would remain sterile, doomed by the greater forces of organisation, technology, money, and power. Despite a century of organisational and technological change, I shall argue that the pessimistic forecasts made about work have not transpired. Societies remain alive and vibrant in the face of apparent technocracy. And vast numbers of people still do skilled work, go on strike, and express attachment to their jobs. In short, we see the resilience of employment structures and the social institutions that regulate them.
