On Friday, we will be discussing Adam Davidson's "Making It in America," which begins to place our study of the American economy within a global context. If necessary, you can also access the reading here.
Please post one question below. I will use these questions to lead our class discussion.
This text explains that skilled workers are the gems of American manufacturing. However, becoming a "skilled" worker involves more than just learning a new skill. It involves factors like financing an education and balancing personal obligations with training. Is there a way for factories or the U.S. government to help workers learn the skills they need to be competent in the workplace without companies experiencing losses or having to cut costs?
ReplyDeleteDavidson presents the harsh new reality of the evolving economy and its effect on employment. How can the employment of unskilled workers be protected while ensuring that the United Sates remains within the top two manufactures of the world? Is government intervention in ensuring employment a violation of laissez-faire?
ReplyDeleteIn "Making It in America" Davidson writes "Skilled workers now are required only to do what computers can't do (at least not yet): use their human judgment." Based on this quote, what are the positive and negative effects of having human judgment in a company, who gets to judge more, and is this moral or not and why?
ReplyDeleteDavidson talks about how in the U.S there still remains manufacturing employment for people, fewer than back during the industrial era but enough to be scattered around the country. Do you believe that part of the reason why this may still be happening in the U.s is because if there comes a moment in time where there is a lack of jobs or another financial crash that we can pick up manufacturing jobs again?
ReplyDeleteIn this text, Davidson mentions some social issues which seem to be the reasons why there are so many unskilled workers. Should America work harder to solve the social issues such as teen pregnancy and drug use in order to help increase the amount of skilled worked in the U.S.? Or does the government hesitate to intervene because of the controversial social issues involved?
ReplyDeleteA lot is spoken about the introduction of machinery in factories in the beginning of the reading. I find this to be a positive impact because it makes product making much more efficient. Besides the loss of jobs for the workers, what are some other negative side effects of having machinery dominate factories?
ReplyDelete- Amber Sepulveda
In "Making It in America," Davidson discusses how companies in America, specifically Standard Motor, use less developed countries for cheap labor. By using these workers in other countries, companies are able to cut down costs. Do you think this is just? Should the United States expand its domestic production, or should companies continue to take advantage of the economic opportunities in foreign countries?
ReplyDeleteIn this text, Davidson focuses on Maddie's background. He mentions that Maddie seemed to be headed for the American Dream. How does the idea of globalization or the idea of being a "skilled worker" affect one's idea on the American Dream?
ReplyDeleteIn "Making It in America," Adam Davidson states, “Skilled workers now are required only to do what computers can’t do (at least not yet): use their human judgment.” Davidson also makes it clear that unskilled workers will eventually be easily replaced by expensive machines or by skilled workers such as Luke to do a job that they didn't have enough education for. Could this statement, along with Davidson's message on unskilled vs. skilled workers serve as a wake-up call to Americans who are not pushing themselves towards higher goals, yet still looking to have a successful future? Additionally, should the United States government take action towards creating jobs that will help individuals like Maddie remain financially stable while being able to continue working for years to come?
ReplyDeleteIn the text it speaks about how "...far fewer people, far more high-tech machines..." are seen at the workplace, does this make it smart for companies to have factories overseas if machines do many of the jobs individuals do anyways?
ReplyDeleteIn the text, Davidson mentions interdependence and cheap wages abroad, if American companies become to dependent on other countries to produce their products because it's cheaper, what would happen to America's value on their product creation?
ReplyDeleteDo you think that skilled workers should be supported by the government? Or should the government help with the creation of skilled from unskilled? Would it better for the economy and types or industries that the government practices laissez-faire?
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