capitalism

Stress Test for Regulation Theory

Armin Medosch — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:19:56 +0000

On 8th and 9th of July 2010 I attended the conference "Regulationstheorie in der Krise" (Regulation theory in the era of crisis) jointly organised by the University of Vienna and the Renner Institute (political academy of the Austrian Social Democratic Party, SPOE). The title transports a double meaning, it refers to the crisis of regulation theory as well as to what has regulation theory to say about the current crisis? I do not claim to be an expert in economics and I am also a newbie to the regulation approach. However, I found this conference very interesting and thought provoking, so I try a summary in English.

Review: Labor and Monopoly Capital. The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century, by Harry Braverman

Armin Medosch — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:51:19 +0000

Topic:

Special tag:

Technopolitics

This excellent book by Harry Braverman revolves around the main thesis, that labour in the 20th century has become 'degraded'. The combined effects of mechanization, scientific management and other control techniques allowed management to wrest control from workers and enforce, under ever changing circumstances, alienating practices onto workers across all industries, including office and service jobs.

Sassen on the end of financial Capitalism

Armin Medosch — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:48:45 +0000

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In this article, Saskia Sassen argues that the financial system is too big to be saved.
The sociologist who coined the term Global City in the early 1990s, demands decinancialisation rather than burning more money, by trying to save the financial system. Interesting read and historically illuminating.