Work: Marxist and Systems-Theoretical Approaches

Using Marxist and systems theory as guides, this book engages with current debates on the role of economy in modern society, making particular use of the category of ‘work’ to explore the concepts of ‘work society’, ‘industrial society’ and ‘capitalist society’ and to explain the conditions of society as a whole.

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Using Marxist and systems theory as guides, this book offers an entry point to the current debate on the role of economy in modern society, the change in work organizations and the effect of the economy on the individual. It explores the concepts of ‘work society’, ‘industrial society’ and ‘capitalist society’ to explain the conditions of society as a whole, and not just the conditions of businesses, making particular use of the category of ‘work’. The first systematic theoretical comparison of Marxism and systems theory, it provides a brief overview of the central debates concerning work society and the controversies surrounding organizations in capitalism. As such, it will appeal to social scientists and social theorists with interests in the sociology of work, industry and organizations.