Another famous, readable and ground-breaking paper by Thompson, this time looking at the imposition of work discipline in the transition to industrial capitalism. He charts the change from the task orientated work of the craftsman/labourer to the division of labour in the ‘(manu)factory’ and the consequent resistance. The use of supervision, fines, wage incentive, preaching, schooling, the suppression of fairs and sports and of course, bells and clocks to form and discipline the new working class are all examined. So if you want to find out, despite their attempts to turn us into ‘Pavlov’s Dogs’, why ‘everyone is a communist when the alarm clock rings’, then this is a good place to start. (BRHG)
Hi,
The link to the PDF seems to be broken, is there another way to access it? It looks very interesting
Thanks
It should be fixed now.
Really interested in your excellent work. Will be very interested to see some of the later records. I think a memorial is definitely needed. Regards