The concept of the division of labour as the link between A. Smith's and G.F.W. Hegel's social theory
This thesis compares Smith's and Hegel's social theory and in particular focuses on the concept of labour and division of labour in conceptualising the positive aspects of modem society. I examine the shift made from the natural law and social contract theories of society as a form of justification of rights and power towards theories that argued for social reproduction and cohesion on the basis of the rule of law and the rationality that arises from the politico-economic role of the division of labour in society. Smith set the question of the division of labour in modem society as a politico- economic question with socio-theoretical implications for the modem theory of industrial society. In other words, the division of labour for Smith is both the source of wealth for the modem nation and a principle for the organisation of production. Modem commercial society is characterised by an extensive division of labour which in so far as it highlights individual self-interest, serves to challenge traditional ideas of morality and civic morals as forms of social cohesion. Political economy as the modem science of society reconstructed critically, on the one hand, the political economy of modem institutions, and on
Ioannidou, Anastasia
H Social Sciences (General) ; HD Industries. Land use. Labor
The concept of the division of labour as the link between A. Smith's and G.F.W. Hegel's social theory. This thesis compares Smith's and Hegel's social theory and in particular focuses on the concept of labour and division of labour in conceptualising the positive aspects of modem society. I examine the shift made from the natural law and social contract theories of society as a form of justification of rights and power towards theories that argued for social reproduction and cohesion on the basis of the rule of law and the rationality that arises from the politico-economic role of the division of labour in society. Smith set the question of the division of labour in modem society as a politico- economic question with socio-theoretical implications for the modem theory of industrial society. In other words, the division of labour for Smith is both the source of wealth for the modem nation and a principle for the organisation of production. Modem commercial society is characterised by an extensive division of labour which in so far as it highlights individual self-interest, serves to challenge traditional ideas of morality and civic morals as forms of social cohesion. Political economy as the modem science of society reconstructed critically, on the one hand, the political economy of modem institutions, and on
concept division_labour link smith hegel social_theory compare smith hegel social_theory particular_focus concept labour division_labour conceptualise positive aspect modem society examine shift make natural_law social_contract theory society form justification right power towards theory argue social_reproduction cohesion basis rule_law rationality arise politico_economic role division_labour society smith set question division_labour modem society politico economic question socio theoretical implication modem theory industrial_society word division_labour smith source_wealth modem nation principle organisation_production modem commercial_society characterise extensive division_labour far highlight individual self_interest serve challenge_traditional idea morality civic moral form social_cohesion political_economy modem science society reconstruct critically one_hand political_economy modem institution