In the production of wealth the efficiency of the laborers is of as much importance as their numbers. For efficient labor the health and strength of the laborer are of primary importance, although their relative importance as compared with other qualities of the laborer varies from occupation to occupation. The health and strength of the workers depend in turn upon the quality and quantity of their food, upon their clothing and housing, upon sanitary conditions in the occupation, recreation, etc. Other qualities, such as physical and mental quickness, thoroughness and exactness, the power of endurance, and artistic talent, tend towards efficient workmanship. The education of the workers, whether in the direction of liberal studies or in the form of technical training for the particular occupation, adds much to their efficiency in production.

Finally, the capacity of the individual worker to cooperate with other workers is of great importance. This latter point will be treated more fully in the discussion of the division of labor.

Questions

1. Define labor. Is labor always disagreeable?

2. Is labor always predominantly physical rather than mental? Illustrate.

3. Show that what is production from the individual point of view is not always production from the social point of view.

4. Who were the Physiocrats? According to their view, when is labor productive?

5. What is the theory of the socialists with respect to the productivity of labor?

6. Is labor productive? Is labor alone productive?

7. What forces tend to influence the labor supply?

8. State Malthus' theory of population.

9. Criticize the Malthusian theory.

10. What qualities in the laborers tend to make their labor productive?

Supplementary Reading

Devas, Political Economy, Book I., Chap. ii. Marshall, Principles, Book IV., Chaps, iv.-vi. Seager, Principles, Chap. ix. Seligman, Principles, Chaps. iv. and xix. Taussig, Principles of Economics, Chaps. i. and ii.