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Profit maximization or bullshit – where between labour economics and Graeber may employments be?

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  • Mann, Stefan

Abstract

The fundamental assumption of labour economics that firms maximize their profits through employment has been challenged through David Graebers “Bullshit Jobs”. We compare the epistemological foundations and empirical grounding of the two concepts. After the methodological paradigms have been explored, the paper looks at the five categories of bullshit jobs that Graeber qualifies and at their contribution to added value on the company and the societal level. Neither the mere assumption of rationality and complete information which labour economists usually pursue nor the complete trust in the narratives of unhappy employees are likely to reveal the full truth. The apparent contradictions can mainly be attributed to the high degree of complexity of the labour world.

Suggested Citation

  • Mann, Stefan, 2020. "Profit maximization or bullshit – where between labour economics and Graeber may employments be?," MPRA Paper 102378, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:102378
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    work; labour economics; bullshit jobs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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