Bad work culture creates bad civic culture
If one link between work and democracy is the expression of full human potential that is possible in both, could the lack of civic engagement we’re seeing today be in part caused by our lack of agency in work? I think this could definitely be possible. Democracy requires interaction with others (dialogue, argument, compromise) and problem-solving. These skills could be/should be part of our jobs as well. I feel that these skills aren’t practiced nearly as often in today’s capitalist work culture as they once were. This can then feed into general apathy for public engagement. If people could realize power and creativity in their jobs, they might be more likely to try to creatively influence their society by being civically engaged.
Comments
Hi Laila,
This is one of the very insights that leads me to believe that unions are one of the few true paths forward if we are ever to have a functioning democracy again (Alinsky - who I'm pleased to see you've found - provides another). How can we expect people to be small d democrats when they exist in a dictatorship during the majority of their waking hours? When working, unions can be the ultimate democratic workshop, I think, and the lessons diffuse beyond the shop floor.
We think alike.
Michael
Posted by: Michael Oswalt | September 23, 2006 8:29 PM