From: gerald_a_levy (gerald_a_levy@msn.com)
Date: Sun Dec 29 2002 - 10:23:37 EST
Paul C wrote in [8240]: > I agree, there is nothing essentially new in electronic > production that was not already present in the mechanical > automation that Babbage and Marx described. Electronic production, though, can significantly affect the already existing trends. The diffusion and further development of the microprocessor and related commodities has resulted in new production technologies which can: a) lower the turnover time of capital. This is apparent with the spread of 'just-in-time' (lean production) technologies. b) economize on the use of constant capital, in particular constant circulating capital (e.g. with new more advanced 'energy-efficient' means of production). c) Decrease plant size requirements, due both to miniaturization and just-in-time production. This can further economize on constant capital including building size, circulating capital requirements, and land. d) Flexibility in the use-value of certain electronic production technologies has allowed for: i) the mass production and diminished cost of those technologies; ii) lower barriers to exit. E.g. capitalists can readily resell robotics to other capitalists in the same or other branches of production whereas this was not generally possible with hard automation; iii) greater standardization in the use of certain production technologies within the production process. E.g. the same robots, with different end effectors, can be used in paint spraying, assembly, welding etc. operations. This relative interchangeability can lower the cost and time required for re-designing the production process and can also decrease down time and labor required to repair malfunctioning production equipment. e) Lower transport costs. E.g. consider how the chip has led to advances in air, rail freight, and sea technologies. This is particularly noticeable as a factor further promoting the internationalization of capitalist production and sales networks. f) Improved and lower cost communications technologies are important in the coordination of cross-regional and cross-national production networks. g) in some cases, there is deskilling and hence lower wages and greater control over workers in the labor process. E.g. consider the impact of CNC (computer numerical control). Training requirements and time can also be diminished through computer and video, etc. technologies. A decrease in the demand for labour-power with certain skills and an increase in the demand for labour-power with other skills often results. h) electronic monitoring devices are a means whereby the intensity of labor can be increased. This can also decrease the costs of supervision. i) the 'factory of the future' (a fully automated factory) creates the possibility of 'electronic scabs'. j) the use of electronic technologies by the state, the media, educational and other social institutions can impact mass consciousness and hence change the bargaining power of capitalists and workers which can manifest itself in the production process (e.g. by altering the intensity of labor). Don't you (and other listmembers) agree? Did I omit something? In solidarity, Jerry
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