How neoliberalism turned the work ethic against workers (with Elizabeth Anderson)
Oct 10, 2023
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Economist and author Elizabeth Anderson discusses how neoliberalism has turned the work ethic against workers, exploring inadequate compensation, the evolution of the work ethic, meaning of work in a capitalist economy, negative impact of neoliberalism on professional classes, support for workers and labor union law reforms, and the need to honor workers and democratize work.
Neoliberalism has distorted the work ethic, devaluing workers' contributions and prioritizing exploitative business models.
Reclaiming the American work ethic involves empowering workers, reforming labor laws, and valuing meaningful work over income alone.
Deep dives
The Impact of Corporate Bullshit on Society
The podcast episode discusses the manipulative duplicity of corporate executives presented in the book 'Corporate Bullshit.' It highlights how past and contemporary quotes from these executives justify outcomes that prioritize personal gain at the expense of society. The podcast emphasizes the need to address this issue and the harmful effects it has.
The Protestant Work Ethic and Compensation Disparity
The podcast explores the deeply ingrained Protestant work ethic in American culture and how it has resulted in compensation disparity. It is noted that Americans work more hours than their European counterparts, yet majority of citizens are not adequately compensated for their contributions to society. The connection between the work ethic and income inequality is discussed.
Neoliberalism's Influence on the Work Ethic
The episode discusses how neoliberalism has distorted the work ethic, turning it against workers instead of honoring their contributions. It explains how neoliberalism values extractive and exploitative business models that harm social welfare, contradicting the original principles of the work ethic. The impact of neoliberalism on different professions and industries is highlighted.
Empowering Workers and Rethinking the Work Ethic
The podcast advocates for empowering workers and reforming labor union laws to give workers more say and control in the workplace. It suggests that fair and meaningful work should be the focus, rather than solely valuing income as a measure of social worth. The importance of recognizing workers' contributions and creating a more democratic work environment is emphasized.
The majority of U.S. workers aren’t compensated anywhere near the value that they actually create for society, while the few who make the most money often work the least and contribute very little. Decades of neoliberal thinking has twisted one of the foundational American beliefs—the idea that hard work eventually reaps great rewards—into a celebration of greed and a dismissal of those of us who work the hardest. Returning guest Elizabeth Anderson explains how we can reclaim the American work ethic in order to once again center workers as the true heroes of the American economy.
Professor Elizabeth Anderson specializes in moral, social and political philosophy, feminist theory, social epistemology, and the philosophy of economics and the social sciences. She is the author of several books including Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives and, most recently, Hijacked: How Neoliberalism Turned the Work Ethic against Workers and How Workers Can Take It Back.