Labor and Monopoly Capital: The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century

Braverman's book is subtitled "The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century", but it is still very relevant in the twenty-first. It shows the effects of the development of capitalism on the nature of work (the labour process) and on the composition of the working class since Marx's time.

Braverman shows how several factors combine to make the labour process an alienating one under capitalism: capitalist management and control; the way the capitalists use new technology; the division of labour; and the separation of the "conception" or planning side of work from its "execution". Underlying all these, of course, is the lack of control by workers over the means of production.

He shows how the capitalists try to deskill as far as possible show more every new type of skilled job that is thrown up by their ever-changing system, so that they can both reduce wage levels and also more easily control the alienated labour of the workers.

Finally, Braverman was also one of the first Marxists to show in detail how white collar workers have become part of the working class, and how even many "professional" jobs are being proletarianised. show less

As a blue collar worker, this book is blowing my fucking mind.

A very readable book. Harry is the poster boy that explains how social polities, social thinking and the fair distribution of economic resources works, smart man who rises from uneducated, blue collar worker to academic.

I still think that the idea that capital always moves towards monopolistic practice and rent seeking is like poetry when I think about it. Today more relevant than in the author's day.

Braverman writes well, in clear concise prose. Pity the markets seem to have won the battle over the control of resources, once again for the benefit of the few.

I read this at university back in around 1986. It still rings delightfully in my ears.

If you can't read Karl in the original, this may be what you need.

The marxian labor economics book to read if you're reading only one.

Great information packaged in a tirelessly tedious academic presentation. Drink lots of coffee while reading.