"Good Work"

Recently I was introduced to the ideas of Ernst Friedrich Schumacher, a British economist most noted for his theory of "intermediate technology." I picked up a copy of his "Good Work" to find out more.

Schumacher believes that work is one of the most determinative authorities on a person's disposition and personality. Despite of this no textbook or school teaches about the theory or objectives of work: "The question of what work does to the worker is hardly ever asked." Schumacher goes on to suggest three purposes of work: 1) to produce goods and services 2) to allow us to use and perfect our talents (self development) 3) to do this in service to and in harmony with others thereby emancipating ourselves from our egocentricity.

He moves on to assert the negative affects of our modern industrial society. "It sentences the great majority of workers to spending their working lives in a way which contains no worthy challenge, no stimulus to self-perfection, and no chance of development." Through a Marxist lens Schumacher argues that technology is the real problem rather than the "system." The bourgeoisie or capitalists created modern technologies and therein a system designed to suit those technologies. Schumacher proposes that technology suffers four adverse trends: 1) trend to become bigger and bigger 2) inclination toward increasing complexity 3) trend towards capital-costly and 4) the drift towards violence (against nature and increase in violent attitudes - science can do no wrong).

Schumacher is quick to offer his solution to these trends. He argues that changing our system would require implementing a new type of technology - intermediate technologies - by which individuals can make themselves productive and independent. Technologies that "fit the given conditions." One example of intermediate (or appropriate) technology given by Schumacher is an egg tray which allows Zambian farmers to safely transport their eggs to market. The other day I read about another appropriate technology in Nepal.

He proceeds to discuss administration, management, and workforce size incorporating first hand examples from his various jobs. Schumacher believes the best businesses (in terms of the worker) have minimum administration, a buoyant structure (picture a group of helium balloons; all on the same level and interdependent), and acceptable staffing numbers to keep the human touch.

Finally, Schumacher takes a metaphysical approach to the education of good work. Education for good work should begin the questions: What is man and what is the purpose of his life? A study of traditional wisdom would find that the goal of life is perfection. The path to this goal is good work.

"Good work" published in 1979, was compiled from lectures and previously written essays. Therefore it is not the best written book. However "Good Work" includes some great insights from Schumacher still applicable today. His thoughts on the workplace, technology, and business were ahead of his time. I would deem "Good Work" worth reading.