Given:
1. the current economic situation, which seems to some people to be
marking the end of market capitalism
2. the inextricable links between jobs and the economy (ie market
capitalism)
It seems to me we still have much work to do.
How many people have read "Voyage from Yesteryear" a 1980s novel by science
fiction writer James Hogan? He (along with many others) creates an
artificial future environment which escapes the tyranny of points 1. And 2.
above - but like almost everyone else, has no idea how we might get there
from here.
It seems to me that those on this list once used to focus on how we might
get there from here.
I have often described the five conventional solutions as:
1. Increase economic growth
growth will create jobs
growth will create wealth
growth will allow a better social security
safety net
chief proponents: politicians and economists
2. Increase the scope of the 'marketplace'
outsourcing of domestic activity has created
every industry which exists at the moment, there are still 40% of household
activities to outsource so the solution is to outsource
these as well
most visible proponent: Phil Ruthven of IBIS Business Services
3. Mandate a shorter working week
the available work could be apportioned more
fairly if some people didn't take more than their fair share
chief proponents: The Shorter Working Time Network (global)
French and Canadian Governments
Trades' Unions
4. Increase Australia's commitment to training and development
if Australian workers were better educated they
would be better able to compete for the highest paid jobs (and Australian
industry would be more internationally competitive)
chief proponents: ANTA, ITABS and the billion dollar training
industry
5. Deregulate the labour market
remove restrictions on labour flexibility
and industry will invest in Australia
chief proponents: multi national corporations
and it seems to me all five have been tried and failed.
Can we come up with anything else?
Charles Brass
Chair
futures foundation
www.futuresfoundation.org.au
phone: 03 9459 0244
fax: 03 9459 0344
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cordell, Arthur:
ECOM
Sent: Friday, 3 October 2008 12:41 AM
To: M.Blackmore; futurework
Subject: Re: [Futurework] Has it gone quiet or has something gone wrong with
mysub??
As co-list owner I too noted the quiet on this list. We may have
exhausted most of the issues around the future of work and working.
But I may be wrong.
Can any Fwers think of ways to resuscitate the discussion of the future
of work and working...are there certain points we should focus on?
Arthur
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of M.Blackmore
Sent: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 5:06 PM
To: futurework
Subject: [Futurework] Has it gone quiet or has something gone wrong with
mysub??
No messages since 4th september ... is it something my end not right, or
just everyone got too depressed to write anything!
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https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
_______________________________________________
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