Why Does Work Involve so Much Conflict?

Conflict has always existed in the world, and ever since man ruled the world societies have created conflict with each other. From spiritual belief to tangible items man has fought for years over what and who is right. Mankind has come along way from the feudalistic societies of the past. Although lesser in degree we still fight over power and land, but a new type of conflict has arisen from work. In humankind's modern, capitalist, market society we are seeing work related conflicts appear far more. Conflict has appeared from several different sources and although all are stemming from the fundamental idea of work I will characterize sources into more defined groups. Using the works of Ciulla, Marx, Polanyi, Ehrenreich, and Sinclair I will explain why modern society is generating so much conflict. I will also attempt to propose solutions on how mankind’s society can resolve such conflicts.

To begin I will use the works of Heilbroner, Smith, and Polanyi to review what a modern, capitalist, market society is, its organization and behavioral features. Next I will discuss the relevant information from Ciulla, Marx, Polanyi, Ehrenreich, and Sinclair’s writings. Then I will discuss levels and types of conflict and relate them back to the previous authors. After creating these categories of conflict I will write my thoughts on how we may be able to possibly solve these conflicts created from mankind’s modern society. Lastly we will revisit the question Why does work involve so much conflict?, and tie together all the information into an overviewing answer.

Let's review starting with a market society. Market systems have many freedoms and lets the condition of supply and demand determine major market decisions. It introduces the idea of money and wealth. In a market system people will save money and become wealthy. Adam Smith describes this well when he says “individuals in society should serve their own self-interest; for just as the body is best served by the parts...