While I have to admit being a bit uncomfortable with the comparison in this
thread between industrial archaeology and archaeologies of slavery and
gender, the reference to "scientific management" has raised a question for me.
A central tenet of "scientific management" and Taylorism was enabling
managers to gain control of the workplace -- in theory breaking labor power
and craft rights by deskilling workers and implementing detailed
surveillance of the workers. I know there is a considerable (ok, vast)
historical literature and a much smaller archaeological one that looks at
the workplace as the site of conflict between labor and management. I'd
agree with Stacy Kozakavich that industrial archaeology is well positioned
to address these issues as technology obviously played a vital role in this.
I've seen papers here and there advocating class-based approaches, but I am
not sure what has been done beyond that. Are there specifically industrial
archaeological studies that have looked at the technology of the workplace
in terms of conflict over control of the labor process? I'd greatly
appreciate any pointers.
Thanks in advance.
Mark
-Mark Walker-
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Who built Thebes of the seven gates?
In the books you will find the names of kings
Did the kings haul up the lumps of rock?
Bertolt Brecht