Premium Essay

Has Canada Become a Post Industrial Society

In:

Submitted By znazir1
Words 702
Pages 3
Assignment One
Sociology 321
Zahra Nazir

Has Canada become a post-industrial society?

* What does “post-industrialism” mean and what are the main characteristics of “industrial” and “postindustrial” societies? * Using the concepts of “industrial” and “postindustrial” societies: How has work changed in Canada over time? (pg20,24)
Is “postindustrial” a proper description for Canadian society today?

Bell argued that postindustrial societies would engage most workers in the production and dissemination of knowledge, rather than in goods produc- tion as in industrial capitalism. While industrialization had brought increased productivity and higher living standards, postindustrial society would usher in an era of reduced concentration of power

Why the optimism in the early theories of postindustrial society? These explanations of social and economic change were developed in the decades following World War II, a time of significant economic growth in North America.16 White-collar occupational opportunities were increasing, edu- cational institutions were expanding, and the overall standard of living was rising. Hence the optimistic tone of the social theories being developed

In fact, as Canada industrialized, the government heavily subsidized the construction of railways in order to promote economic development.

Like other advanced capitalist societies, Canada has become a service-dominated economy. The informa- tion technology revolution is having a major impact on both the quantity and quality of work in the Canadian labour market, as are processes of industrial and labour market restructuring.

____________________

An industrial society is one in which inanimate sources of energy such as coal or electricity fuel a production system that uses technology to process raw materials. But labelling a society “industrial” tells us little

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Labor Studies

...Thesis Canada has indeed become a post industrial nation as seen in steep declines in national industry so far as in manufacturing, resource collecting, and other goods producing labor. An explanation of how work has changed in Canada due to globalization, politics, and technology is seen to have guided service sector employment to the fore front of Canadian society. Higher education will be seen as a key factor to future “good” employment. BODY Industrialization refers to the technical aspects of the accumulation and processing of a societies resources. Industrialism is defined as a social or economic system built on manufacturing industries (Oxford Dictionary). Has Canada become a post-industrial society? I would sure have to say so! Canada of course still has aspects of manufacturing and resource processing across its vast provinces, but technology is quickly creating a new society of higher educated workers selling their knowledge of computers, not just the hardware and circuitry, but also the software and 01010’s that comprise the interfacing with the hardware. Of course that just scratches the surface of technology but at least you are now pointed in the general direction of where and how work will be done. To understand fully where we are today let’s look at the characteristics of an Industrial society and that of a post-industrial society, one that is leaving and entering a new age, much as industry did to agriculture...

Words: 997 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Canada as a Post-Industrial Country

...Canada as a Post-Industrial Country Canada’s practices of work and work values have been evolving throughout history. From the early days when agriculture dominated the economy, to the gradual transition into manufacturing and processing, we can see that Canada’s economy is always changing. More recently, we are seeing a similar shift from manufacturing to the service sector of the economy. This paper provides an analysis of Canadian society and whether we can be considered a post-industrial country. A society tends to be classified according to the degree to which different groups within that society have unequal access to rewards such as resources, status, or power. Although humans have established many types of societies over time, I will focus on defining two main categories including industrial and post-industrial society. Industrial societies are driven by the use of machines and factories to enable mass production. They are generally characterized by the use of external energy sources to increase the rate and scale of production. Industrialization brought about changes in almost every aspect of society. As factories became the center of work, urbanization became desirable and large cities emerged. Wage work and job specialization allowed more efficient means to manufacture goods, but also lead to a more complex division of labour. Post-industrial societies are based on information, knowledge, and the selling of services. This society develops at a stage when the...

Words: 760 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Soc 100

...Assignment 1 Organization * Introduction (purpose/thesis statement and an overview of essay) * Paragraphing * Coherence * Conclusion | /5 | * What does “post-industrialism” mean and what are the main characteristics of “industrial” and “post-industrial” societies? * Note: Emphasize the main characteristics outlined by the leading post-industrial theorists. | /40 | * Using the concepts of “industrial” and “post-industrial” societies, how has work changed in Canada overtime? | /25 | * Is “post-industrial” a proper description for Canadian society today? * Note: Adopt a critical approach. Support all arguments with relevant references/data. | /30 | * Technical aspects: Use APA format for in-text citations and reference page * 12 point font and double-spaced * Title page with name and student id * Note: There is no mark for “technical aspects” for assignment 1. Instead of penalizing students, I provide feedback to help with subsequent assignments. You will be penalized if you don’t follow the appropriate format for the rest of the assignments. | 0 | * Creativity: What is this? Creative thinking. * No marks for assignment 1 | 0 | Total | /100 | Assignment 2 Organization * Introduction (purpose/thesis statement and an overview of essay) * Paragraphing * Coherence: All the requirements of the assignment are related. A coherent essay must be able to “connect all the dots.” For example, any discussion of government policies...

Words: 565 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Inmate Work in Canada

...INMATE INDUSTRIES JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF ALBERTA 2002 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The trend toward developing inmate industries which operate as viable businesses that compete fairly in the open market place has gained momentum over the past two decades. The history of inmate employment in Canada plays a significant part in understanding current developments in inmate industries. The earliest recorded effort to employ offenders in Canadian penitentiaries was in 1835. Since then, there has been a steady reorganization and expansion of inmate industries within Canadian federal corrections. The CORCAN Corporation was created in 1980 to serve as the production and marketing arm of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Currently, CORCAN programs operate in over half of the federal correctional facilities across Canada, employing 4000 offenders throughout the year (CSC, 2001). CORCAN currently operates five main business lines: Agribusiness, Construction, Manufacturing, Services and Textiles. Each business line is responsible for providing services or products that range from agriculture commodities to computer data entry and data base creation services. In 1992, CORCAN was granted the title of Special Operating Agency (SOA), which provides certain organizations with the opportunity to become more productive, efficient and competitive. The move to SOA status does not represent the privatization of CORCAN, but does allow CORCAN greater control over the creation of various work programs...

Words: 7133 - Pages: 29

Free Essay

Immigrants

...living in Canada, which is 16% of the total Canadian population. (See Graph 1, Immigrants as a Percentage of Canada's Population, 1901-1996) Over the past decades the level of immigration in Canada has increased from an average of 137 000 immigrants arriving in Canada in the 1960s to an average of about 200 000 in 1998. (See Table1, Annual Immigration Plan 1998) The largest share of immigrants admitted into Canada are in the economic class, in 1994, close to half of the new immigrants coming to Canada were economic class immigrants. Immigration is needed to maintain the Canadian population; "Canada will be an aging society with such a low birth rate that it will soon be unable to sustain its population without sustained immigration." Immigrants are a source of labour to the Canadian economy; immigrants are as likely as people born in Canada to be employed, and many are skilled workers that the Canadian economy is in need of. Business class, investor and entrepreneur immigrant help to provide job opportunities in the economy, and also generate more economic activities and income for the Canadian economy. "Analysis of data from the household/family file of the 1981 Canadian Census of Population reveals that, regardless of origin, immigrants benefit the Canadian-born population through the public treasury." Immigrants are an aid to the Canadian economy as a result of its ability to sustain the aging population, to provide labour, and job opportunities. Firstly, Canada, like other...

Words: 1421 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Future of Work

...Much has been written about the past in regards to Canada’s evolution from an agrarian system to an industrialized system where the production of goods is the foremost means of work. Now, there are those who say that we have moved onto a post-industrialized system, which includes knowledge workers who produce and disseminate knowledge and have the ability to solve problems, and the creative class, which is comprised of professionals like engineers, professors, and lawyers. “These workers are transforming the economy through a new work ethic that places a high priority on interesting work, flexible forms of organization, and dynamic places in which to live and work” (Krahn, Hughes & Lowe, 2012, p. 27). As we venture into a post-industrialized era, this paper will examine the future prospects of work in Canada and the role that technology will play. Advancements in technology and innovation in a post-industrialized society are changing the way work is done. Some believe that technological advances will have a severe negative impact on the Canadian workforce. Betcherman and Lowe (1997) examine this view and conclude that there are three reasons that support this pessimistic outlook: 1) “mental” and “manual” labour are at risk due to “smart” technologies (p. 11); 2) when the agrarian system was replaced with industrialism, there were emerging sectors like manufacturing and services absorbed displaced workers, however, there does not seem to be an emerging sector (Betcherman &...

Words: 1835 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Economics

...preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry, he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this...led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention...by pursing his own interests he frequently promotes that of society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.”1 With faith put in the driving force of self interest via the invisible hand theory it has been depicted by many economists to be the best way to steady an economy under laissez-faire conditions. Other than a brief showing in the later party of the 18th century the invisible hand theory made its presenc felt during the Industrial Revolution when many economists argued for the invisible hand which was very appropriate for the development of society at that time. However, recently, the theory invisible hand theory no longer leads to economic prosperity and innovation. The thought of rational self interest guiding economics to success is has little value in today's society because of obstacles such as inability to cooperate on a large scale, world crisis and human irrationality. “The natural force that guides free market capitalism through competition for scarce resources,"2 is what many economists believe the idea of the...

Words: 2040 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Social Structure

...enterprise is the main lever by which the informational paradigm and the process of globalization affect society at large. In this chapter I shall analyze this transformation on the basis of available evidence, while attempting to make sense of contradictory trends observed in the changes of work and employment patterns over the past decades. I shall first address the classic question of secular transformation of employment structure that underlies theories of post-industrialism, by analyzing its evolution in the main capitalist countries between 1 920 and 2005. Next, to reach beyond the borders of OEeD countries, I shall consider the arguments on the emergence of a global labor force. I shall then turn to analyze the specific impact of new information technologies on the process of work itself, and on the level of employment, trying to assess the widespread fear of a jobless society. Finally, I shall treat the potential impacts of the transformation of work and employment on the social structure by focusing on processes of social polarization that have been associated with the emergence of the informational para- digm. In fact, I shall suggest an alternative hypothesis that, while acknowledging these trends, will place them in the broader framework of a more fundamental transformation: the individualization of work and the fragmentation of societies.2 Along such an intellectual itinerary, I shall use data and research findings from a flurry of monographs...

Words: 32981 - Pages: 132

Free Essay

Adult Education and Globalisation

...Globalization’s impact is a force with widespread reach and implications. Education will be vital for survival in a global community. The effect of globalization on adult education in Ontario was investigated. The principles of andragogy, self-directed learning and informal and incidental learning are evident in Canadian and Ontario teaching practices; however, emotions and imagination are absent in this discourse. Michelle Scott MAIS 701 Adult Education and Globalization 3 PART I: Literature Review: Adult Education and Globalization Michelle Scott MAIS 701 Adult Education and Globalization Introduction 4 Although many of us may think our “school days” are behind us, learning is a continuous part of life. Adult education has been called by many names – training, lifelong learning, continuing education, workplace...

Words: 11503 - Pages: 47

Free Essay

International Social Development

...appropriate reference being made. Essay Question ‘Critically discuss the meaning of international social work and social development and demonstrate your understanding of the integrated perspectives approach by analysing and applying to an issue such as local level development, poverty, post conflict reconstructions, forced displacement.’ International social work seems to mean different things to different people in different communities, across the globe. Even the term ‘social work’ is often hard to pin down in the Western tradition. The first ‘constant’ seems to be the history of the development of social work in Britain after the Industrial Revolution and then across the western world predominantly in the United States. Second, social work as a profession arose as the result of the issues thrown up by the Industrial Revolution, such as mass movements away from rural based living, agricultural jobs reduced, with massive technological innovations commencing as far back as the development of the steam engine. Third, social work as a profession is united by its values which are social justice and a need to attend to social welfare (in the context of social wellbeing) in society. Jane Addams and her associates believed that no less than world peace and disarmament were suitable goals for social work. (Hokenstad and Midgely, 1998) So what is ‘international’ social work? The Council on Social Work Education in the United States of America in 1956 examined the...

Words: 3324 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Culture of Terrorism

...The Culture of Terrorism The thesis of this paper is that the attacks of 9/11 were the catalysts of a world culture of terrorism that is used by propaganda and censorship to blur the politics of globalization and technology, and restructure a totalitarian society. This paper will argue that the businesses of “the U.S. media shill factory” (Borjesson, 2004, p.165), the plottings of the “brand based” (Klein, 2000, P.421) corporations, and the multi-national oil giants influence sectors of government by using deliberate strategies of censorship and propaganda to discredit government effectiveness, alienate populations, and seize control. What is the correlation between censorship and propaganda? “Intelligent men must realize that propaganda is the modern instrument by which they can fight for productive ends and bring order out of chaos” (Bernays, 1928, p.168). Censorship is the “suppression of information, whether purposeful or not, by any method-including bias, omission, underreporting or censorship-that prevents the public from understanding what is happening in society” (Borjesson, 2004, p.419). Since there are different kinds of information or knowledge in society that need to be forbidden because they are harmful to certain groups or to the moral understanding of ethics (i.e. the use of drugs, pornography, assault weapons), what rationale legitimizes suppressed information as forbidden? The principle is “to bring order out of chaos” by using propaganda, “the conscious...

Words: 1828 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Family

...Sociology & Family Theorizing and Researching 1. Structural Theories a) Materialism & Conflict theory Marx & Engles -changes in family lives reflect material change (ex, the mode of production, industrialization) macro-micro focus -power differences characterize society at all levels (ex, capitalism creates: exploitation of men in the workforce; oppression of women b) Political Economy -assumes the power of the one class over another (social control), capitalist relations of production -a more concentrated focus on how economic and political processes shape society and history and therefore family, families c) Structural Functionalism Parsons & Bales -the social institution of the family - family is seen as a function, and different parts of society helps it move along -the nuclear family performs functions -they saw the families as a main faction, economic support, these functions that happen in nuclear families include economic support -equilibrium, all parts help it work as a whole -hierarchical generations and role specialization within families produces harmony -the different roles that men and women take on, allows the family be a harmony -parsons and bales, gendered perspective on families, families having instrumental roles such as achieving income, feed the family, cloth the family, this would be men 2. Symbolic Interactionism Mead & Cooley - individuals create their own family realities through micro level interactions -from...

Words: 8656 - Pages: 35

Premium Essay

Geog1410

...GEOG 1410 Practice Questions for December 2013 Exam Lecture 1 1. What is the difference between place and space? By definition, a place is both an objective location that is unique and interdependent with other places as well as a subjective concept tied with personal emotion and meaning, created through human experience. On the other hand, spaces are more abstract and are not associated with any social value or connections. 2. What is the defining component of globalization? Explain. The defining component of globalization centers on the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence between places around the world through social, cultural, economic, political, and technological change. Such changes inevitably alter the human experience of place and space and leads to shifts of thinking from one population to the next. Over time, cultures begin to overlap and influence each other and this influence plays immense roles in the development of independent nations’ political and economic systems as well as the well being of their people. Lecture 2 3. Define “chorology” and the importance of a “chorological view” to Geography. Chorology is defined as “the study of regions and spaces”. The modern discipline can be traced back to 18th century philosophers: Immanuel Kant believed all knowledge could be divided into either geography (classifying things according to space) or history (classifying things according to time). Geography was seen at first only in terms of exploration...

Words: 3760 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Managerial Economics

...INTERNAL RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT Name of the candidate: ASIF EKBAL Enrolment no. : 08715903912 Course: MBA 1ST Yr. Batch: 2012 Subject: MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS Subject code: MS105 Topic of assignment: UNIT 1 Subject Teacher’s name: MS MAMTA RANI Research Assignment Q.1) “Inferior goods are not those goods in case of which the law of demand fails, inferior goods are those goods in case of which income effect is negative or these are the goods the demand for which decreases when income increases Yes, law of demand fails in case of GIFFIN GOODS. It is in the case of these goods that there is (A) Inverse relationship between income and demand (B) Positive relationship between price and demand.” In the light of above statement explains the following statement with the help of an example: “WHILE ALL GIFFIN GOODS ARE INFERIOR GOODS, ALL INFERIOR GOODS ARE NOT GIFFIN GOODS” Solution:- Demand may be defined as desire backed by adequate purchasing power. Benham therefore says – “the demand for anything at a given price, is the amount of it which will be bought per unit of time at that price.” Law of Demand: - The Law of Demand states that when the price of a commodity rises, there occurs a fall in the amount purchased. Conversely, when the price of a commodity falls, the amount purchased increases. From the Law of Demand it follows...

Words: 5583 - Pages: 23

Free Essay

Aurora Case

...be split up into three stages: Cotton stage, industrial revolution, and post industrial revolution. In the early parts of the Textile-Mill Industry, known as the cotton stage, products were produced at home using wool, cotton, or flax depending on the area and location. The excess material was sold to merchants called clothiers who would visit the villages and buy large amounts of excess cloth from local producers. The process for making cloth involved three steps which included preparation of fibers for spinning, spinning, and weaving or knitting. In the early days everything was very labor intensive and the market was limited to local towns and passing clothiers. The second stage of the Textile-Mill Industry is known as the industrial revolution stage. During this period mass production of clothing became a mainstream industry which resulted in a growth of the entire Textile-Mill Industry. The spinning and weaving process became mechanized with several new machines introduced to the industry with the majority of the power coming from water wheels. Additionally, the industries market began to expand as exports of textiles began to rise. Presently the Textile-Mill Industry is situated at the third stage known as the post industrial revolution stage. In the current stage the industry has experienced dramatic globalization, new trade policies, cheaper production cost, and new customer preferences. Globalization has drastically changed the Textile-Mill Industry...

Words: 1442 - Pages: 6