Pay and Play LO4618

pcapper@actrix.gen.nz
Fri, 5 Jan 1996 06:22:47 +1300

Replying to LO4566 --

Gary writes:

"It's only recent history (last century) that we've had jobs and the
social structure was setup to 'protect' the individual. Will the same
'protection' be offered in the future? Can the governments afford that
same level? Can corporations? "

Hey! We need to be careful here. Prior to the industrial revolution it is
true that the nature of social and economic relationships was very
different, but pre-existing modes involved (a) clearly defined roles, and
(b) well developed and well developed structures which defined the
responsibilities of those with power towards those who did not. Individual
responsibility was NOT the prevailing paradigm - that is a product of one
line of thought from the Age of Reason (the other being communalism)

I agree that job descriptions and job security may well be on the way out,
but we need to openly face the profound - and unprecedented - social
implications of such a shift.

Gary's questions are important but, in my view, the wrong way round. For
me the questions concern whether we can expect fundamental social
organisation to survive UNLESS we find a way of redefining the social
contract.

--
Phillip Capper
Centre for Research on Work, Education and Business
PO Box 2855
Wellington
New Zealand

pcapper@actrix.gen.nz