Mar 6, 2007
Labor Exchanges
I read a review of Karen Olson's _Wives of Steel_ in _Enterprise & Society_ (June 2006 issue). The book's theme is also captured in this publisher's blurb:
http://tinyurl.com/nxghu
The review inspired the following imaginary exchanges on a college campus in the middle of Utopia (nowhere), Illinois:
Feminist: "Deindustrialization was great for women."
Jane Doe: Why?
Feminist: Because all the patriarchical working-class men lost their high paying jobs and couldn't support their families.
Jane Doe: That's good?
Feminist: Yes, and even better, their "unliberated" marriages broke up and the women went to work, thus destroying the "feminine mystique."
Jane Doe: Really? (Puzzled look)
Feminist: These liberated young women found "meaning" in their lives and no longer needed men. Long live forced labor, it will free you!
Then there is the opposite "spin" of the leftist labor scholar who constantly bemoans "deindustrialization":
Labor leftist: Where have all the jobs gone in my father's home town?
Economist: This isn't your father's economy. The expanding service sector has meant that Marx's prediction of mass unemployment never came true. Incomes are higher and working conditions far better.
Labor leftist: Yes, but what about "deindustrialization; it is the greatest tragedy of the past half-century!"
Economist: Deindustrialization has been going on for one hundred years as workers became better educated and provided new services to others. This is a reskilling of the labor force. Three cheers for deindustrialization.
Labor leftist: Yes, but what of the uneducated; they are left behind.
Economist: So?
Labor leftist: Deindustrialization creates good jobs for those who graduate from high school and college, but what of the high school dropout? If this trend continues, there will be no work at all for those with an 8th grade education! This is the fault of globalizing capitalism and "neo-liberal" policies in the advanced corporatist states. (Veins starting to pop). "Remember Seattle! You have nothing to lose but your hot coffee!"
Economist: What of the high school drop-out? There aren't that many and, well, they should have stayed in school.
Labor leftist: You are a blood-sucking, greedy, uncompassionate servant of the right-wing conspiratorial corporate elite. Probably a "neo-con" to boot.
Economist: My paycheck at Podunk U. doesn't reflect it, but I'll be sure to tell the wife.
Labor leftist: Some day the workers WILL unite and throw you out of the ivory tower.
Economist: But you live in an ivory tower too...
Labor leftist: Yes, but these uneducated hoo-has with their 8th grade educations will follow ME because I will grant them GEDs and admit them to No Standards U. I am the vanguard. I am the future. I am TENURED!! First, Podunk University, then Mega-University, then the world!! (Raving body language, eyes bulging, arms flailing)
Economist: Remind me to park on the other side of campus. . . and wear Kevlar.
http://tinyurl.com/nxghu
The review inspired the following imaginary exchanges on a college campus in the middle of Utopia (nowhere), Illinois:
Feminist: "Deindustrialization was great for women."
Jane Doe: Why?
Feminist: Because all the patriarchical working-class men lost their high paying jobs and couldn't support their families.
Jane Doe: That's good?
Feminist: Yes, and even better, their "unliberated" marriages broke up and the women went to work, thus destroying the "feminine mystique."
Jane Doe: Really? (Puzzled look)
Feminist: These liberated young women found "meaning" in their lives and no longer needed men. Long live forced labor, it will free you!
Then there is the opposite "spin" of the leftist labor scholar who constantly bemoans "deindustrialization":
Labor leftist: Where have all the jobs gone in my father's home town?
Economist: This isn't your father's economy. The expanding service sector has meant that Marx's prediction of mass unemployment never came true. Incomes are higher and working conditions far better.
Labor leftist: Yes, but what about "deindustrialization; it is the greatest tragedy of the past half-century!"
Economist: Deindustrialization has been going on for one hundred years as workers became better educated and provided new services to others. This is a reskilling of the labor force. Three cheers for deindustrialization.
Labor leftist: Yes, but what of the uneducated; they are left behind.
Economist: So?
Labor leftist: Deindustrialization creates good jobs for those who graduate from high school and college, but what of the high school dropout? If this trend continues, there will be no work at all for those with an 8th grade education! This is the fault of globalizing capitalism and "neo-liberal" policies in the advanced corporatist states. (Veins starting to pop). "Remember Seattle! You have nothing to lose but your hot coffee!"
Economist: What of the high school drop-out? There aren't that many and, well, they should have stayed in school.
Labor leftist: You are a blood-sucking, greedy, uncompassionate servant of the right-wing conspiratorial corporate elite. Probably a "neo-con" to boot.
Economist: My paycheck at Podunk U. doesn't reflect it, but I'll be sure to tell the wife.
Labor leftist: Some day the workers WILL unite and throw you out of the ivory tower.
Economist: But you live in an ivory tower too...
Labor leftist: Yes, but these uneducated hoo-has with their 8th grade educations will follow ME because I will grant them GEDs and admit them to No Standards U. I am the vanguard. I am the future. I am TENURED!! First, Podunk University, then Mega-University, then the world!! (Raving body language, eyes bulging, arms flailing)
Economist: Remind me to park on the other side of campus. . . and wear Kevlar.