The Political Economy of Work

This book offers a new and unique assessment of the theoretical analysis of work, challenging some common preconceptions and promoting an original approach to the field, contemplating its nature, development and its impact on human well-being.

David A. Spencer is Senior Lecturer in Economics at Leeds University Business School.

1 Introduction, 2 In the sweat of thy brow: concepts of work in pre-classical and classical economics, 3 Work contra the classical economists: pro-work sentiments in the late eighteenth century and nineteenth century, 4 The Marxian view of work, 5 From pain cost to opportunity cost: the eclipse of the quality of work as a factor in economic theory, 6 Institutional perspectives on work, 7 Mainstream economics and the hidden abode of production, 8 Conclusion