Work and Politics

Focusing on the historical evolution of workplace relations, the book explores how the mass production system emerged from the power dynamics of 18th and 19th century Britain and the U.S. rather than technological necessity. Professor Sabel illustrates how this system shaped workers' perceptions of skill acquisition and job stability, while capitalists exploited workforce divisions to align varied worker ambitions with specific labor market roles. The analysis reveals the varying degrees of collaboration and limitations within different work groups, highlighting the complexities of industrial capitalism.