SOCIOL 1 Chapter Notes -Working Time, Aristocracy, Textile Industry
7 May 2014
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4- a life at hard labour (juliet schor) Working hours under capitalism at their peak increased over 50% compared to medieval. Medieval work was from dawn to dusk, but had frequent breaks in between. Time units didn"t exist; no real idea of time saving. Food consumption of labourers not enough to sustain a fast work pace (need >3000 cal/day) Work year full of holidays and ales (marking important life events) Backward-bending supply curve of labour - when wages rise, workers supply less labour money. Absence of culture of consumption / accumulation - less interest /opportunity to save. Unavailability of goods, lack of a middle class. Textile industry faced economic crisis - capitalism! reduction of wages, and Implementation of work clock - replaced the sun as time measure, controlled by employer. Tried to rebel but were threatened with fines and injunctions. Eventually resigned to longer hours, faster paced work. Employers used time to regulate labour- clearly defined owners" time and leisure.
