Theories on Unemployment

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how unemployment is a major social problem with deep and pervasive costs and ramifications to all of society. The paper shows that although it is a complex issue with many present-day problems, much insight can be gained from examining the theories of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber in alignment with present issues.

From the Paper:

"Specifically, Weber argued that the Calvinist belief in working hard and avoiding luxury promoted the expansion of business enterprise. He further claimed that the Calvinist doctrine of business success as a sign of spiritual salvation justified the desire for profits. It would stand to reason, then, that the work ethic fails as an important function of social integration, because jobs are being "rationalized away" by economic restructuring. Technological change has put a premium on capital-intensive production, resulting in the structural elimination of work. Moreover, the time in which people partake in gainful employment throughout their lives has drastically decreased over the past fifty years. Finally, as levels of unemployment continue to rise, the moral stigmatization of living off welfare will wear off."

More papers on Theories on Unemployment:

• Essay # 54081 : "Unemployment and Crime Rates"
• Term Paper # 117730 : "Unemployment Compensation"
• Analytical Essay # 148372 : "Behavioral Finance Theories"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: