Work, under Scrutiny: Examining the Emancipatory Potential of the Work Ethic
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El trabajo, bajo escrutinio: examinando el potencial emancipatorio de la ética del trabajo
Juan Vega Esteve Abstract As a key component of the logic and discursive potential of capitalism, the evolution of the set of values that conform the work ethic has been closely linked to the changes in the forms of the capital accumulation process in Western societies during the 19th and 20th centuries. In this context, the work ethic has served both to dominate and to emancipate, naturalizing subordination to waged labor at the same time that it served as a legitimizing discourse for the increased recognition of marginalized groups. To explain this contradiction, I will make use of the concept of antinomies employed by Kathi Weeks to explain the ethic’s dynamism. Departing from the resources of Week’s theory, and through the case of the American welfare reform during the end of the 20th century, the dominating potential of the work ethic will be uncovered with the aim to disincentivize its use in future social movements. Keywords: work ethic, capitalism, work, spirit, Weeks, United States. Ficha curricular del autor Philosophy, Politics and Economics student enrolled at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He has also attended other universities across Spain, such as Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, as well as in France, studying at Université Paris Dauphine. His primary fields of interest are philosophy and sociology. He is currently finishing his degree at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. --- Estudiante de Filosofía, Política y Economía por la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. También ha recibido formación en la Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid y la Universidad Paris Dauphine, en Francia. Sus principales áreas de interés son la filosofía y la sociología. Actualmente finaliza sus estudios de grado en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. |
Citación:
APA: Vega Esteve, J. (2023). Work, under Scrutiny: Examining the Emancipatory Potential of the Work Ethic. Hastapenak. Revista de Historia Contemporánea y Tiempo Presente, 6, 65-84. |
