Theorizing the Division of Labor (Smith)

Question 1

What is the division of labor?

Answer 1

Specialization
Division of labor improves the productivity of labor

Question 2

How does the division of labor improve the productivity of labor?

Answer 2

Dexterity - can become more efficient
Less time switching between tasks due to distractions being avoided
Innovation - the invention of new machinery

Question 3

What are the consequences of the division of labor for society?

Answer 3

Universal opulence
Stupefication

Question 4

What is universal opulence?

Answer 4

The idea that people focusing on just one task allows everyone to gets lifted in society
Everyone gets more due to the division of labor
People at the bottom do better due to having a good division of labor compared to other societies’ highest positions where there isn’t a good division of labor

Question 5

What is stupefication?

Answer 5

Montomizes tasks affect the brain negatively
Especially if people are specialized in simple tasks
The government should be in charge of counteracting this

Question 6

What are the origins of the division of labor?

Answer 6

Human nature to act upon self-interest and to barter
Individual pursuits of self-interest produce a cooperative and collaborative society with fair and deliberate exchange

Question 7

What determines who does what in the division of labor?

Answer 7

The environment in which they grew up
Habits, customs they grew up in
Education impacts, family positions
Most advantages positions allow for development upward easier

Question 8

What is wrong with Smith’s theory of the division of labor?

Answer 8

Contradicting innovation vs stupefaction
Overreliance on specialization can lead to problems if they aren’t there
Is exchange fair and deliberate?