Richard sennett

If you order your custom term paper from our custom writing service you will receive a perfectly written assignment on richard sennett. What we need from you is to provide us with your detailed paper instructions for our experienced writers to follow all of your specific writing requirements. Specify your order details, state the exact number of pages required and our custom writing professionals will deliver the best quality richard sennett paper right on time.

Out staff of freelance writers includes over 120 experts proficient in richard sennett, therefore you can rest assured that your assignment will be handled by only top rated specialists. Order your richard sennett paper at affordable prices!

In The Corrosion of Character, Richard Sennett reflects upon and discusses "flexible capitalism". He claims that though this newer form of capitalism in theory may allow greater autonomy and livelihood (since routine and convoluted forms of bureaucracies and hierarchies are denigrated and criticized); he nonetheless believes that this system can only lead an individual to confusion, frustration and disarray. This is because he believes that despite flexible capitalism's positive attributes such as taking innovative risks, cooperative teamwork and flexibility in the work itself and its proceedings; its overall effects and results are often minute, inadequate and unsatisfactory.

In flexible capitalism routine is viewed as negative and unproductive. However, it is not necessarily because its ideology corresponds with that of economist Adam Smith or the political theorist Karl Marx that the repetitive nature of work generally causes an individual to become passive, dull and dismal. Smith and Marx believed that routine resulted in self-doubt and destruction for the worker as a human because the worker would eventually view his work as being tedious and meaningless. However, in flexible capitalism routine is disregarded because 'change' and risk-taking is emphasized. In today's dynamic, rapid paced economy, routine and custom are viewed as ineffectual and incompetent. Today's economic world stresses the value of the short term, rather than the long term.

Nevertheless, Sennett discusses and illustrates in The Corrosion of Character the difficulties and negative aspects concerning rapid change and risk-taking. One reason why Sennett believes routine is still valid and necessary is; routine ensures safety and empowerment. For example, with routine workers can organize and orchestrate their experience for the long term. They can expand and safeguard their assets by utilizing time; thus investing in mutual aide funds, mortgages on personal property, etc. In addition, routinized time has become an essential aspect in worker union negotiations. By means of routinized time workers can create and assert demands on their superiors.

Also, Sennett believes routine represents and preserves tradition and custom. Through routine does an individual truly 'master' his skills. Frequent, repetitive practices usually lead to better and even perfect results. For example, the old bakers (in Boston) through routinely making bread became skilled in their craft. However, the new bakers did not know even know how to make bread because they not routinely make bread. Moreover, Sennett argues that it is important that individuals (especially children) learn that routine, usually ensures long-lasting effects and results. He believes that society should realize that the overall beneficial impacts and effects of routine significantly outweighs its drawbacks and shortcomings.

Another aspect that flexible capitalism does not view as positive or constructive is rigid forms of bureaucracies and hierarchies. Thus, corporations and institutions are often reconstructed and reengineered so that they operate in more loose, flexible and variable networks. Though this concept and structure may appear appealing and virtuous for workers, Sennett displays in The Corrosion of Character how in actuality it may only intensify the tribulations of workers.

In order for these so-called lax networks to initially transpire many workers are usually first laid off. This is because (in theory) the establishments no longer require extensive amounts of workers because the operation and management of the company is no longer elaborate or convoluted. However, in reality this only increases the work loads of the remaining workers since there are fewer workers available to do the work.

In addition, Sennett believes lack of bureaucratic hierarchy results in less respect and emphasis for individualism and responsibility. For example, since group collaborative work is stressed no one will take responsibility for fault or error. Hence, even if one is "innocent" one may still be held accountable for the mistakes or shortcomings of others. Furthermore, Sennett believes by emphasizing "teamwork", superiors are actually more liable to exert power since they can "ask" more in the name and sake of teamwork. Thus, Sennett illustrates the misconceptions about so-called flexible enterprises.

However, there is yet another controversy and flaw that Sennett raises about flexible capitalism. Sennett believes that in flexible capitalism "opportunity" and "chance" in reality is an option and endeavor primarily reserved for the young. He claims that most middle-aged and older people often have difficulty, if not an impossible time pursuing better careers. For instance, when Sennett's middle-aged friend Rose altered her occupation (from a bar owner to an employee in an ad agency) she encountered several difficulties. She claimed her peers in the office often mocked and isolated her because she was considered old and passed her prime. In addition, Rose's life-long experiences did not account for much in her new job. If anything, her colleagues seem to scorn and debase her wisdom gathered from personal experience. Thus, once again flexible capitalism plays a part in corroding our character by making us show no respect or authority for those who are older and experienced.

In The Corrosion of Character, Richard Sennett tries to portray and illustrate the negative aspects of flexible capitalism. He tries to show how flexible capitalism despite its ideals and promises is a false, illusionary system that uses, deprives, and debases its workers. Thus, he raises economical, political, and even ethical questions concerning our current socio-economic system. Is flexible capitalism legitimate and evolutionary as its claims to be? Or is it just another form of capitalism which primarily benefits those of power and status? And most importantly, is this new form of capitalism corroding our character?

Please note that this sample paper on richard sennett is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on richard sennett, we are here to assist you. Your cheap custom college paper on richard sennett will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.

Order your authentic assignment and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!