Markets and Division of Labor in Relation to Social Cohesion - Essay Example

? Markets and the Division of Labor In Relation To Social Cohesion Introduction Division of labor can be on the basis of two different dimensions in the argument that it supports social cohesion. The modern definition of division of labor is the process of breaking down the production into various stages and steps. These stages are designed to perform a specific task in the production process. The most commonly known definition of division of labor is the definition by the famously known economist, Adam Smith; in his definition he defined division of labor in terms of specialization (Rogowski 2008). Specialization is when tasks in a society are assigned to specific individuals in whereby the assigned person has the obligation of fully completing the task. Markets on the other hand are defined as the a place where economic activities in the society take place, economic activities in this case imply to the buying and selling and thus there is interaction and the interaction of buyers and sellers from different cultures and ethnical backgrounds. Markets and division of labor’s contribution towards social cohesion has been a crucial debatable issue in the contemporary practical environment (Council of Europe 2006). Markets and division of labor according to the definition of Adam Smith can be used to explain the reason why on the adoption of this technique there is increased productivity and output in regards to the economic activities of a given society. The major objective and aim of markets and division of labor is to ensure that there is consistent maximization of profits as well as minimizing the average total cost of the production process. There are several classes of thinkers on this issue of social cohesion in regards to markets and the division of labor. This argument has been highly attributed by the several definitions of markets and division of labor in the contemporary society. The two classes of thinkers emerged when the effects and impacts of markets and division of labor started to take effect on the economic activities in the society. There were those who considered it to be a mechanism of increasing and sustaining profits (Ferrarini 2006). The Adam Smith definition did not take into account other factors that are not within the chain of production. The other class of thought based their definition of labor on the principles of the social and collective human labor. The principle behind this definition is that markets and division of labor collectively pulled together the society thus encouraging the collective achievement of social and cultural interaction and integration and intellectualism in the society. Basing on these definitions the perception of markets and division of labor on promoting social cohesion is positive. Other scholars on the basis that the concerned definition has not fully integrated the concept of the political economy have opposed this justification. The definition of markets and division of labour has since been not compatible with the current political, social and economic setup of the society. This has been due to the over emphasis of the social cohesion in the original definition, social cohesion in the context of markets and division of labour can be evaluated in critically looking at the merits and the demerits on the societal integration and cohesion (Rogowski 2008). Division of labor in the past was seen as the source of labour discrimination in the society, this was attributed by the presence of gender imbalance, inequalities and variation in the various in the sectors in the production process (O'Brien 2008).According to Angle, division of labour was in existence in as far as the human history is concerned. He believes that the division of labour is one of the major sources of the intrigues being witnessed in the society. Challenges such as human beings being denied rights as well as unfavorable social set up emerged due to the division of labour thus this scholar implies that markets and division of labour have contributed negatively on the societal cohesion (Davidov 2011). A number of scholars had expressed markets and division of labour in relation to the society in the 18th century. Emile Durkheim related the division of labour and markets and social cohesion to the traditional society lifestyle. Marxist definition of the division of markets and division of labour was different and opposing as it was based on capitalism. He defines capitalism in the division of labour as inevitable and that it had led to several negative impacts on the society and thus considered autonomous. Durkheim in his description argues that the modern society would actually exhibit cohesion, which may be beyond the one witnessed before. However, his description was conditional in the sense that the economic and the intrinsic structure in the society should be able to acknowledge the importance of social cohesion (Davidov 2011). Though this argument of Durkheim expressed the important aspect of the division of labor in regard to the societal co-existence, the adoption of division of labour cannot be just implemented in the contemporary circumstance in the society. There is the need for monitoring the implementation process; hence, there must be some policies, rules and regulations that ensure justice is paramount in the society. The accountability and effective functioning of the societal systems will ensure optimum social cohesion (Furze 2011). The Pin factory is a typical example of the division of labour across occupations. The mechanism of this process is based on the inability of further division in the individual capacity. Occupations, which are scarce, are likely to be found in bigger markets than in smaller markets and that the output from each worker tends to be more in the larger markets (Strathdee 2005). The definition of division of labour according to Angel was based on wealth acquisition and accumulation. The male enjoyed control over the wealth acquired while the woman only joined in enjoyment, however, she did not have any right of ownership to this property. Challenges emerging due to the division of labour are basically greater in the modern society as the difference in classes further complicate the issue. Property ownership is no longer meant for particular members of the family but individual ownership. Private ownership creates a different approach towards society integration. Single families are now being recognized as a unit of the society, which was not the case in the past. The inequalities among the families in the society bring in a tough challenge in raising cohesion (O'Brien 2008). The search for riches is basically a catalyst and a drive towards a war and a situation of creating wealth more than working. However, a legal framework would develop a mechanism of succession that can be useful in hereditary purposes. A divided population can be united using the division of labour with a good legal framework (Dongen 2009). Organization of the individual society cultivates a society where individuals develop frameworks that can be used to oppress others. The organs are used for malice and dominance of few individuals instead of the society striving to succeed. Though the greedy people’s search for wealth is termed as the source of some the problems emerging from individualism, and they are in fact the cause of the society being divided in terms of the rich and the poor. Marx stated, “The property differences within one and the same gens had not transformed its unity of interest into antagonism between its members.” The trends are adopted in the modern society with the division of labour being redefined to ensure further integration within the society (O'Brien 2008). Economy and its relation to labour The market is the ideal place to define the relationship between economy and division of labour. The autonomy in the political economy is crucial in tackling the challenges facing the cohesion of society. According to Smith, a measure of economic challenge can be quantified using various quantities in the division of labour. After the division arising from the division of labour, a person can be categorized in terms of being rich or poor. This would influence the purchasing power of individuals in the market. Smith argues that the production of different categories can be negotiated with the different labor ordeals in the market with equality in mind. Though it might not be accurate enough, the two can be achieved in the bargaining depending on the prevailing market. The two represent two different activities that are found in the social status. The social relation between the persons in various production capacities can be described as personal and cannot be termed as a result of labour activities. Marx described the relationship resulting from the division of labor as equal to that of relation between things. The relationship of individuals in the labour market may not be clearly related to the performance of the individuals. The Marx theory on the labour market describes the value of labour in terms of quality and quantity. Quality for the social labour and quantity for private labour. He describes the division of labour repetitive process that causes monotony among the workers causing them to be aligned to a certain production process. Workers would be socially attached to the production process. Though he was against the division of labor, Marx described it as a temporary evil that could be necessary in the liberation of the society. Social division such as the class and the management is what separates individuals working in an industry. The division of labour is inevitable because some specific tasks have to be done by some specific people. These can be done by rotation or by permanent assignment of work to individuals. By doing so, social classes are automatically created in the place of work. Division of labour is fundamental in a production suitable for fulfilling the needs of a society. Social labour is a foundation of the economy of a society. The main area of social production is the household economy, production of materials and service sector. The importance of such production is that it recognizes the importance of integration in the society. There are acute challenges in handling the problems arising from the division of labour; challenges resulting mainly from discrimination in the work place either on the superiority and inferiority context is mainly the short comings resulting from the division of labour (Togati 2006). It is difficult to brand the division of labour as purely a social affair because most of the activities involving the division of labour are market oriented thus developments resulting from the division of labour would always be targeted towards improving efficiency in production as well as profit maximization. Therefore, the division of labour can be taken in the context of economy more than the social adventure. From that view, the level management and the concerns of the production units would mainly be improving efficiency of the production unit in order to minimize the cost of production and maximize the profits. Therefore, the production structure would not consider much social cohesion (Togati 2006). It is certain that the workers would stick to the work place than they would have done if it was social oriented. Specialization in such a scenario is also accompanied by the market competition. A typical example is the production unit in a factory where the workers rarely know about the operations in other units of operation. Such a challenge can only be overcome by a better system where specialization is not a priority. This would enable the workers to have a better interaction with the whole process. The modern processes are more sophisticated; therefore, more specialization is required to arrive at the best quality products. In this case, the issue of social cohesion would not apply because total time spent on the machine may increase thus the relation between the workers may even drop further. Such challenges may only be address if the mechanisms of managing division of labour are stated well in order with the modern market. The dynamics of the labour are changing depending on the environment (Togati 2006). Privileges such as education of workers should be provided and the priority given to the right group. There have situations where the workers are offered opportunities by their institutions not depending on importance but on education merit (Davidov 2011). Social cohesion requires a favourable condition for the workers to interact among themselves more often. However, division of labour cannot fully provide the environmental requirement but instead creates social classes, which are likely to bring discrimination in the place of work. It is likely that some workers are discriminated based on their work specialization. Such problems may not be easily solved as the labour market calls for specialization rather than rotation in the work places (Davidov 2011). The social classes create more division rather than creating a social cohesion among the workers in a production unit. Therefore, it automatically denies the growth in the social cohesion. Generally, the division of labour and market has effects that are more negative in development of a society than its advantages. There is always a tendency of capitalism in the division of labour, therefore, it is difficult for the social cohesion to be realized (Davidov 2011). References Council of Europe, 2006, Reconciling Labour Flexibility with Social Cohesion: Ideas for Political Action, London: Council of Europe. Davidov, G., & Langille, B, 2011, The Idea of Labour Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Dongen, W. v, 2009, Towards a Democratic Division of Labour in Europe?: The Combination Model As a New Integrated Approach to Professional and Family Life, Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. Ferrarini, T, 2006, Families, States And Labour Markets: Institutions, Causes And Consequences of Family Policy in Post-War Welfare States. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. Furze, B., Savy, P., Brym, R., & Lie, J, 2011, Sociology in Today's World. New York: Cengage Learning. 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