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EDITORIAL ANALYSIS: Making sense of the employment Challenge
Making sense of the employment Challenge
 
 
Source: The Hindu
 
For Prelims: Unemployment, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Second World War, COVID-19 pandemic, 
 
For Mains: General Studies III: potential benefits and drawbacks of longer working hours
 
 
 
Highlights of the Article
 
Unemployment
Keynesian Revolution
Marshall Plan
Economic Strategies for India
 
 
 
Context
 
By proposing that Indians work longer to achieve a larger national output, N.R. Narayana Murthy, the founder of India’s iconic business house, Infosys, has issued something akin to a challenge to his compatriots. In particular, he proposed a 70-hour work week. To strengthen his case he has pointed to the experience of Japan and Germany after the Second World War, when citizens worked longer hours than we do on average in India today. 
 
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS:
 

1. Unemployment

  • Unemployment is a state of being without work or a job. It is a major economic and social problem that can have a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities.
  • There are many different causes of unemployment, including economic recession, technological change, and structural changes in the economy.
  • There are two main types of unemployment: frictional unemployment and structural unemployment. Frictional unemployment is caused by the time it takes for workers to find new jobs after they have been laid off or have quit their old jobs. Structural unemployment is caused by a mismatch between the skills that workers have and the skills that employers need.
  • Key Factors Influencing Unemployment, The overall health of the economy, including GDP growth and business cycles, influences unemployment rates. Automation and technological advancements can lead to job displacement.
  • Increased international competition can impact domestic industries and employment. Skill gaps and mismatches between education and job requirements contribute to unemployment.
  • Unemployment can have several negative consequences for individuals, families, and communities. It can lead to financial hardship, stress, and social isolation.
  • Unemployment can also make it difficult for people to access healthcare, housing, and other essential services.

2. Keynesian Revolution

  • The Keynesian Revolution was a major shift in economic thought that occurred in the early 1930s. It was spearheaded by the British economist John Maynard Keynes, who challenged the prevailing classical economic theory.
  • Classical economic theory held that the economy would naturally self-correct and return to full employment. This theory was based on the assumption that wages and prices would adjust to ensure that supply was equal to demand.
  • Keynes argued that classical economic theory was flawed and that the economy could not always self-correct. He argued that aggregate demand, which is the total demand for goods and services in an economy, was the key determinant of economic activity. When aggregate demand is high, businesses are more likely to hire workers and invest in new capital, leading to economic growth. Conversely, when aggregate demand is low, businesses are more likely to lay off workers and cut back on investment, leading to economic recession.
  • Keynes argued that the government could play a role in stabilizing the economy by influencing aggregate demand. One way the government can do this is through fiscal policy, which involves changing government spending and taxation. For example, the government can increase spending on infrastructure projects or provide tax cuts to consumers, both of which can stimulate aggregate demand and lead to increased employment.
  • The demand for labour is driven by aggregate demand, the overall demand for goods and services. Simply exhorting workers to work longer hours will not create jobs if firms are unwilling to hire them due to insufficient demand for their products. The recent layoffs in the tech sector exemplify this dynamic, as companies adjust their workforce based on changing market conditions.
  • The experience of Japan and Germany's post-war recovery is not directly comparable to India's current situation. Their economies were devastated by the war, resulting in a massive shortage of labour. In contrast, India faces a different challenge: a lack of adequate demand and skill development among its workforce.
  • The government can also influence aggregate demand through monetary policy, which involves changing the money supply and interest rates. For example, the central bank can lower interest rates to make it cheaper for businesses and consumers to borrow money, which can encourage spending and investment.

3. Marshall Plan

  • The Marshall Plan was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II.
  • The plan was in operation for four years beginning on April 8, 1948. The goals of the United States were to rebuild war-devastated regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, make Europe prosperous again, and prevent the spread of communism.
  • The Marshall Plan played a major role in the recovery of Western Europe. It provided much-needed food, fuel, and machinery to help rebuild war-torn economies. It also helped to promote free trade and economic cooperation among European countries.
  • The case of South Korea, which also experienced rapid economic growth during this period, further highlights the role of external factors and non-market forces. South Korea's success was partly attributed to significant foreign aid from the United States and a strong nationalistic sentiment that motivated people to work hard for the nation's reconstruction.

 4. Economic Strategies for India

  • India is a developing country with a large and growing population. It is facing several economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and inequality. There are several different economic strategies that India could pursue to address these challenges.
  1. To focus on economic growth. This could involve investing in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. It could also involve promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.
  2. To focus on redistribution. This could involve increasing taxes on the wealthy and using the proceeds to provide social welfare programs to the poor. It could also involve implementing land reforms and other measures to reduce inequality.
  3. To focus on both growth and redistribution. This would involve pursuing policies that promote both economic growth and social justice. It would require a careful balance of different policy measures.
  • The best economic strategy for India will depend on several factors, including the country's specific circumstances and the preferences of its citizens. However, India needs to pursue a strong and sustainable economic strategy to address the challenges it faces and improve the lives of its people.
 
5. The Way Forward

It cannot be emphasised enough that Mr Narayana Murthy’s proposal that Indians work for 70 hours a week is surely meant for those in the formal sector, where specified work hours and a minimum wage stipulation exist. Ethnographic studies of India’s informal sector show that in some of its segments, unorganised workers are already labouring this long at very low wages and without any such protection. Here, the challenge is to activate the long arm of the law to ensure acceptable working conditions that encompass fewer hours, higher wages, and more
equipment to lessen the physical burden of labouring. 
 
 
Mains Pratice Questions
 
1. Discuss the various causes of unemployment in India and evaluate the socio-economic consequences of high unemployment rates. Suggest policy measures to address this issue. (250 Words)
2. Examine the key tenets of the Keynesian Revolution and its significance in addressing economic challenges. Discuss its relevance in the context of contemporary economic scenarios, particularly in emerging economies like India. (250 Words)
3. Analyze the impact of the Marshall Plan on the economic reconstruction of Western Europe after World War II. Discuss the lessons that can be learned from the Marshall Plan for addressing economic challenges in developing countries. (250 Words)
4. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of a 70-hour workweek? (250 Words)

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