Modern Liberals on Work

How do Modern Liberals consider the nature of work?

• Technological advances may eliminate menial tasks so that work may become a source of personal satisfaction. It also permits shorter workdays.

• Unregulated capitalism damages workers through low wages and unsafe working conditions.

• Globalisation has freed market forces from domestic regulation, intensifying demands on workers.

How do Modern Liberals consider the organisation of work?

• The key to eliciting high productivity from workers is structuring the production process to satisfy human needs for respect and autonomy.

• Modern Liberals advocate less narrow specialisation, fewer supervisory personnel, and the minimisation of hierarchy through combating poverty and discrimination.

• The market’s tendency to focus on efficiency comes at the expense of good wages, health and safety, and protection against discrimination. Government intervention is necessary to protect these.

• Modern Liberals sacrifice some efficiency in the pursuit of other valued social goals, but remain optimistic that ‘humanising’ the workplace can be consistent with increased productivity.

What do Modern Liberals consider the role of unions to be?

• Unions are a necessary balance to business power, ensuring predictable wages.

• Unions benefit all workers, as nonunionised firms may increase wages to union levels to maintain morale. They also use political leverage to secure beneficial legislation.

• Corporate efforts to raise profits are the primary driver of inflation, not increased wages.

• However, the combination of global competition, high unemployment, and neoliberal policy has weakened union power. Manufacturing, a union-heavy industry, has declined.

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