Schools of thought along with the basic cause of the labor problem

by | Feb 12, 2025 | EDUCATION

 

1. List the four schools of thought along with the basic cause of the labor problem and the solution to the labor problem for each.
2. Explore the online exhibit about the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire).
a. What were working conditions like? Search the Internet for information on sweatshops in the 21st century.
b. How do these compare to sweatshops of the early 20th century?
c. If modern sweatshops are a problem, what should be done?.

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Let’s delve into labor economics and the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

1. Four Schools of Thought on Labor Problems:

School of Thought Basic Cause of Labor Problem Solution to Labor Problem
Neoclassical Supply and demand imbalances in the labor market. Wages are determined by the interaction of worker supply and employer demand. Market forces should be allowed to operate freely. Government intervention should be minimal. Focus on education and training to improve worker skills and thus their marketability and wages.
Managerial Poor management practices, lack of communication, and inadequate leadership. Workers are seen as factors of production, and problems arise from inefficient management. Improve management techniques, enhance communication between management and workers, and implement better leadership strategies. Focus on efficiency and productivity.
Human Resources A mismatch between worker needs and organizational practices. Workers are viewed as valuable assets, and problems stem from neglecting their needs and motivations. Implement human resource management practices that address worker needs, such as fair wages, benefits, safe working conditions, opportunities for growth, and employee involvement.
Radical/Marxist Inherent conflict between capital (owners) and labor (workers) due to the capitalist system. Workers are exploited by capitalists who seek to maximize profits. Abolish or fundamentally reform the capitalist system to eliminate exploitation and create a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. Advocate for worker ownership or control of the means of production.

Let’s delve into labor economics and the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

1. Four Schools of Thought on Labor Problems:

School of Thought Basic Cause of Labor Problem Solution to Labor Problem
Neoclassical Supply and demand imbalances in the labor market. Wages are determined by the interaction of worker supply and employer demand. Market forces should be allowed to operate freely. Government intervention should be minimal. Focus on education and training to improve worker skills and thus their marketability and wages.
Managerial Poor management practices, lack of communication, and inadequate leadership. Workers are seen as factors of production, and problems arise from inefficient management. Improve management techniques, enhance communication between management and workers, and implement better leadership strategies. Focus on efficiency and productivity.
Human Resources A mismatch between worker needs and organizational practices. Workers are viewed as valuable assets, and problems stem from neglecting their needs and motivations. Implement human resource management practices that address worker needs, such as fair wages, benefits, safe working conditions, opportunities for growth, and employee involvement.
Radical/Marxist Inherent conflict between capital (owners) and labor (workers) due to the capitalist system. Workers are exploited by capitalists who seek to maximize profits. Abolish or fundamentally reform the capitalist system to eliminate exploitation and create a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. Advocate for worker ownership or control of the means of production.

The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire:

(a) Working Conditions:

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire exposed horrific working conditions common in early 20th-century sweatshops. These included:

  • Overcrowded and unsafe workspaces: The factory was cramped, with limited exits and flammable materials piled high. The fire escape was inadequate and quickly collapsed.
  • Long hours and low wages: Workers, mostly young immigrant women, worked long hours for meager pay.
  • Locked doors: Doors were often locked to prevent workers from taking breaks or stealing, trapping them during the fire.
  • Lack of safety regulations and enforcement: There were few safety regulations in place, and those that existed were poorly enforced.
  • Child labor: Although less common in this specific factory than in others at the time, child labor was a widespread problem.

Modern sweatshops, while often located in different countries, share some disturbing similarities:

  • Low wages and long hours: Workers are often paid extremely low wages and forced to work long hours to meet production quotas.
  • Unsafe working conditions: Factories may be poorly ventilated, have inadequate safety equipment, and expose workers to hazardous materials.
  • Exploitation of vulnerable populations: Migrant workers, women, and children are often targeted for sweatshop labor due to their vulnerability.
  • Suppression of worker rights: Attempts to unionize or organize for better working conditions are often met with resistance or even violence.

(b) Comparison:

While modern sweatshops may not always have locked doors in the literal sense, they often employ other tactics to restrict worker movement and control, such as strict surveillance, limited bathroom breaks, and threats of dismissal. The core issues of low wages, long hours, and unsafe conditions remain, although the specifics may vary. Modern sweatshops often operate in a globalized context, with complex supply chains that make it difficult to trace the origins of products and hold companies accountable. This globalization adds a layer of complexity not as prevalent in the early 20th century.

(c) What Should Be Done?

Addressing the problem of modern sweatshops requires a multi-pronged approach:

  • Increased consumer awareness: Educate consumers about the conditions in sweatshops and encourage them to make informed purchasing decisions. Support “fair trade” and ethically sourced products.
  • Stronger regulations and enforcement: Governments need to implement and enforce stricter labor laws and safety regulations, both domestically and internationally.
  • Corporate accountability: Companies need to take responsibility for the conditions in their supply chains and implement codes of conduct that protect worker rights. Independent audits and inspections are essential.
  • Empowering workers: Supporting workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively is crucial. Unions can play a vital role in improving working conditions and wages.
  • International cooperation: Addressing the global sweatshop problem requires international cooperation to establish and enforce fair labor standards.

It’s a complex issue with no easy solutions, but a combination of consumer action, government regulation, corporate responsibility, and worker empowerment is necessary to create a more just and equitable global economy.

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