Capitalist Strategy?: How did our lives change in production and consumption through Fordism, which Henry Ford started by giving five dollars to his workers?
May 7, 2024
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The new trend started in car production, consumer culture has also changed radically. While you are all familiar with the system we will be talking about, you may
The new trend started in car production, consumer culture has also changed radically. While you are all familiar with the system we will be talking about, you may never have known how it was born.
In fact, this story you are about to read is not only a revolution in the factory system, but also a revolution How it changed the lives of the working class also reveals.
Henry Ford wanted to make cars a product that was accessible to everyone.
Birth of Fordism In 1913, Henry Ford Ford Motor Company It started with the creation of the first assembly line. This innovation created a production process where each worker performed a specific task and the car moved at a constant speed through different stations.
Thanks to the new production system Production time of Ford Model T dropped dramatically and costs reduced. While the time to assemble each part of the car one by one was 11 hours, this time was reduced with the new system. up to 90 minutes was dropped.
The new system not only shortened the production system, but also had an impact on costs. The car, which cost $825, sold for $246. So cars for a wider audience reaches.
Innovation not only concerned the technology, but also the employees.
Henry Ford also gave to his workers every day Pay $5 With this wage, which was quite high for that period, he increased their level of prosperity and shortened their working hours. reduced to 8 hours per day. This policy not only increased employee satisfaction, but also ensured that they had the power to purchase the products they produced.
This is actually what Ford wanted. Ford wanted to make sure employees spent their money the right way. Of course, there were some conditions for the pay increase. In 1916, he sent social workers to workers’ homes to see if they were suitable for the new consumption system. rational and common sense (non-alcoholic) consumption power is taken into account. His goal was for them to have a decent family life and moral values.
The consequences of Fordism reached far beyond the United States.
Manufacturers in Europe, Asia and other regions have also adopted this system. Global expansion, especially after World War II increasing production capacity and it also helped spread consumer goods to a wider audience.
However, this process involves local craftsmanship traditions small-scale producers It also had a negative impact on global homogenization.
Although Fordism was effective and efficient, over time it began to be criticized.
There were people who liked the system, but also people who criticized it. Employees are often criticized It was monotony and a lack of creativity. Because craftsmanship was disappearing. Over time, this monotony could lead to psychological and social problems, while continued and accelerated production would also cause environmental destruction.
As Fordism develops in the modern world, its original principles are changing.
Today, industrial production methods are no longer the same as in Ford’s time. of rigid assembly lines rather, it has shifted to more flexible systems that include automation and technology integration.
robotic systems and artificial intelligence has made production processes more efficient and require less manpower. However, still main impact of fordism The philosophy of mass production is still effective in many sectors.
But modern companies are no longer that sustainability and customization As it has adopted concepts such as these, it has become more sensitive to consumer demands. If we call this modern-day Fordism, the new system has adopted a structure that cares about environmental and social responsibilities while maintaining high production capacity.
Yours Fordism What do you think about it and its consequences?
Alice Smith is a seasoned journalist and writer for Div Bracket. She has a keen sense of what’s important and is always on top of the latest trends. Alice provides in-depth coverage of the most talked-about news stories, delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles that keep her readers informed and engaged.