[PEN-L:27396] Re: unemployment before capitalism

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 29/06/02 11:38 -0700, you wrote:
> Let me suggest a different context.  During the mercantilist period  --
> yes, during capitalism -- the majority of the economists were very
> concerned about putting everybody to work; that is, eliminating
> unemployment.  The reason was the people had alternatives to wage labor.
> Once those alternatives disappear, the threat of unemployment rather than
> direct coercion become central to disciplining labor.
>  --
> Michael Perelman
> Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
>
> Tel. 530-898-5321
> E-Mail michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Another interesting aspect to the particularity of this process. This of
course need not obscure the broad correct generalisation that unemployment
is not a characteristic feature of pre-capitalist societies.

I am taking the opportunity of correcting the thread title, and removing a
few "Re's"

Chris Burford