Notes: Works & Economic Life | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
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6. Works and Economic Life: 
- Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial-
capitalist society. 
- Formal and informal organization of work. 
- Labour and society. 
 
  
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Sleepy Classes 
6. Works and Economic Life: 
- Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial-
capitalist society. 
- Formal and informal organization of work. 
- Labour and society. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Social organization of work in different types of society 
 1) Slave society      2) Feudal society     3) Industrial /capitalist society:  
 
1. Work : generally, any activity involving human effort . 
1. Sociology, work refers to any activity resulting in paid employment  which can be direct 
payment(e.g. contract labour) or indirect payment(e.g. barter system) 
2. Another comprehensive definition: work- carrying out of tasks, requiring the 
expenditure of mental n physical efforts which has its objective production, distribution 
or consumption of goods and services that catered to human needs. It can be paid or 
unpaid. 
Traditional societies: indirectly paid work. Involves feudal relation or ritual obligation. 
 
Modern capitalist societies:work directly paid. 
 
In socio, work interpreted not only in terms of money but obligation also.  
Thus conception not only limited to economic life but also permeates to social domain.  
e.g. domestic division of labour : obligations not necessarily monetary. 
 
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF WORK IN DIFF. SOCIETIES : 
 
SLAVES/FEUDAL/INDUSTRIAL/CAPITALIST:  
Sociological study involves understanding at 2 levels-macro and micro. 
 
1. At macro level: how is work organized among different sections of population and  how is 
it influenced by social factors —broad distinction made between traditional and modern 
society. 
KEYWORD - ADAPCO 
 
1. Traditional society: slave and feudal- -organization of work is simple, ascription 
based, collective orientation,  affectivity, informal relation. 
2. Modern society: capitalist- Organization of work is complex, formal, Achievement 
based, self-oriented, affective-neutral. 
3. MARX: in both trad. + modern organization à dichotomy of haves and have-
nots à common exploitative process in both. 
 
2. At microlevel: specific aspects included within activities in terms of allocation, 
performances,consequences etc.  
KEYWORD – MADRAS P 
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www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
6. Works and Economic Life: 
- Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial-
capitalist society. 
- Formal and informal organization of work. 
- Labour and society. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Social organization of work in different types of society 
 1) Slave society      2) Feudal society     3) Industrial /capitalist society:  
 
1. Work : generally, any activity involving human effort . 
1. Sociology, work refers to any activity resulting in paid employment  which can be direct 
payment(e.g. contract labour) or indirect payment(e.g. barter system) 
2. Another comprehensive definition: work- carrying out of tasks, requiring the 
expenditure of mental n physical efforts which has its objective production, distribution 
or consumption of goods and services that catered to human needs. It can be paid or 
unpaid. 
Traditional societies: indirectly paid work. Involves feudal relation or ritual obligation. 
 
Modern capitalist societies:work directly paid. 
 
In socio, work interpreted not only in terms of money but obligation also.  
Thus conception not only limited to economic life but also permeates to social domain.  
e.g. domestic division of labour : obligations not necessarily monetary. 
 
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF WORK IN DIFF. SOCIETIES : 
 
SLAVES/FEUDAL/INDUSTRIAL/CAPITALIST:  
Sociological study involves understanding at 2 levels-macro and micro. 
 
1. At macro level: how is work organized among different sections of population and  how is 
it influenced by social factors —broad distinction made between traditional and modern 
society. 
KEYWORD - ADAPCO 
 
1. Traditional society: slave and feudal- -organization of work is simple, ascription 
based, collective orientation,  affectivity, informal relation. 
2. Modern society: capitalist- Organization of work is complex, formal, Achievement 
based, self-oriented, affective-neutral. 
3. MARX: in both trad. + modern organization à dichotomy of haves and have-
nots à common exploitative process in both. 
 
2. At microlevel: specific aspects included within activities in terms of allocation, 
performances,consequences etc.  
KEYWORD – MADRAS P 
 
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1. Major form of activity : 
1. SLAVE: hunting and food gathering. 
2. FEUDAL: agriculture 
3. INDUSTRIAL: Factory system 
4. POST-INDUSTRIAL: service/information society 
2. Source of power : 
1. SLAVE:  tool ownership 
2. FEUDAL: land ownership 
3. INDUSTRIAL: capital ownership 
4. POST-INDUSTRIAL: dispersion of power(information ownership) 
3. System of stratification : organization also influenced by patterning of social 
inequalities. 
1. Traditional(slave+feudal): ascribed, derived by heredity,caste 
driven[interdependent dimensions of caste, status,power i.e. if higher in caste will 
be higher in both status and power] 
2. Modern: achievement oriented, innovation rewarded, rationalized society. 3 
independent dimension- class, status,power. 
4. Nature of roles:  
1. traditional ->social expectations – few + simple. E.g. DURKHIEM à LOW 
MORAL DENSITY 
2. Modern->social expectations high + complex 
5. Social mobility:  
1. traditional – less mobility 
2. modern- open and numerous avenues 
3. E.g. SOROKIN à DIFFERENTIATED BETWEEN 
INTERGENERATIONAL  AND  genrational 
6. Degree of alienation:  
1. Traditional - less 
2. Modern- high 
3. E.g. KARL MARX à Evolution of societies associated with INCREASING 
alienation. 
7. Organization of production :  
1. traditional: simple d.o.l. 
2. eg. DURKHIEM: MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY 
3. Modern: complex d.o.l + organic solidarity 
 
 
  
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
6. Works and Economic Life: 
- Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial-
capitalist society. 
- Formal and informal organization of work. 
- Labour and society. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Social organization of work in different types of society 
 1) Slave society      2) Feudal society     3) Industrial /capitalist society:  
 
1. Work : generally, any activity involving human effort . 
1. Sociology, work refers to any activity resulting in paid employment  which can be direct 
payment(e.g. contract labour) or indirect payment(e.g. barter system) 
2. Another comprehensive definition: work- carrying out of tasks, requiring the 
expenditure of mental n physical efforts which has its objective production, distribution 
or consumption of goods and services that catered to human needs. It can be paid or 
unpaid. 
Traditional societies: indirectly paid work. Involves feudal relation or ritual obligation. 
 
Modern capitalist societies:work directly paid. 
 
In socio, work interpreted not only in terms of money but obligation also.  
Thus conception not only limited to economic life but also permeates to social domain.  
e.g. domestic division of labour : obligations not necessarily monetary. 
 
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF WORK IN DIFF. SOCIETIES : 
 
SLAVES/FEUDAL/INDUSTRIAL/CAPITALIST:  
Sociological study involves understanding at 2 levels-macro and micro. 
 
1. At macro level: how is work organized among different sections of population and  how is 
it influenced by social factors —broad distinction made between traditional and modern 
society. 
KEYWORD - ADAPCO 
 
1. Traditional society: slave and feudal- -organization of work is simple, ascription 
based, collective orientation,  affectivity, informal relation. 
2. Modern society: capitalist- Organization of work is complex, formal, Achievement 
based, self-oriented, affective-neutral. 
3. MARX: in both trad. + modern organization à dichotomy of haves and have-
nots à common exploitative process in both. 
 
2. At microlevel: specific aspects included within activities in terms of allocation, 
performances,consequences etc.  
KEYWORD – MADRAS P 
 
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Sleepy Classes 
 
1. Major form of activity : 
1. SLAVE: hunting and food gathering. 
2. FEUDAL: agriculture 
3. INDUSTRIAL: Factory system 
4. POST-INDUSTRIAL: service/information society 
2. Source of power : 
1. SLAVE:  tool ownership 
2. FEUDAL: land ownership 
3. INDUSTRIAL: capital ownership 
4. POST-INDUSTRIAL: dispersion of power(information ownership) 
3. System of stratification : organization also influenced by patterning of social 
inequalities. 
1. Traditional(slave+feudal): ascribed, derived by heredity,caste 
driven[interdependent dimensions of caste, status,power i.e. if higher in caste will 
be higher in both status and power] 
2. Modern: achievement oriented, innovation rewarded, rationalized society. 3 
independent dimension- class, status,power. 
4. Nature of roles:  
1. traditional ->social expectations – few + simple. E.g. DURKHIEM à LOW 
MORAL DENSITY 
2. Modern->social expectations high + complex 
5. Social mobility:  
1. traditional – less mobility 
2. modern- open and numerous avenues 
3. E.g. SOROKIN à DIFFERENTIATED BETWEEN 
INTERGENERATIONAL  AND  genrational 
6. Degree of alienation:  
1. Traditional - less 
2. Modern- high 
3. E.g. KARL MARX à Evolution of societies associated with INCREASING 
alienation. 
7. Organization of production :  
1. traditional: simple d.o.l. 
2. eg. DURKHIEM: MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY 
3. Modern: complex d.o.l + organic solidarity 
 
 
  
 
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Formal and informal organization of work. 
 
1. Formal organisation 
Formal organizations represent those organizations which are characterized by a 
specific function, division of labour, a hierarchy of authority, rationality and a proper 
arrangement of statuses and role. They are carefully planned and systematically 
worked out. 
 
Characteristics of a formal organization 
1. Well defined rules and regulation, Determined objectives and policies 
2. Limitation on the activities of the individual 
3. Strict observance of the principle of co-ordination 
4. Messages are communicated through scalar chain 
 
2. Informal organisation 
Informal organization refers to a small group the members of which are tied to one 
another as persons. The group is characterized by informal and face to face relations, 
mutual aid, cooperation and companionship. The members of informal organizations 
work together not in their official capacities but as persons 
 
Keith Hart - Characteristics of the informal sector: 
1)  Low levels of skill. Workers have low levels of education, skills and engaged in jobs involving 
low technology.  
2)  Easy entry 
3) Low paid employment 
4) The fourth characteristic of the informal sector, according to Hart is that it is largely composed 
of immigrant labour. 
 
There are many different reasons for informal organization: 
1. Informal standards: personal goals and interests of workers differ from official 
organizational goals. 
2. Informal communication: changes of communication routes within an enterprise due to 
personal relations between coworkers. 
3. Informal group: certain groups of coworkers have the same interests, or (for example) 
the same origin. 
4. Informal leaders: due to charisma and general popularity, certain members of the 
organization win more influence than originally intended. 
5. Different interests and preferences of coworkers. 
6. Different status of coworkers. 
Page 5


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
6. Works and Economic Life: 
- Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial-
capitalist society. 
- Formal and informal organization of work. 
- Labour and society. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Social organization of work in different types of society 
 1) Slave society      2) Feudal society     3) Industrial /capitalist society:  
 
1. Work : generally, any activity involving human effort . 
1. Sociology, work refers to any activity resulting in paid employment  which can be direct 
payment(e.g. contract labour) or indirect payment(e.g. barter system) 
2. Another comprehensive definition: work- carrying out of tasks, requiring the 
expenditure of mental n physical efforts which has its objective production, distribution 
or consumption of goods and services that catered to human needs. It can be paid or 
unpaid. 
Traditional societies: indirectly paid work. Involves feudal relation or ritual obligation. 
 
Modern capitalist societies:work directly paid. 
 
In socio, work interpreted not only in terms of money but obligation also.  
Thus conception not only limited to economic life but also permeates to social domain.  
e.g. domestic division of labour : obligations not necessarily monetary. 
 
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF WORK IN DIFF. SOCIETIES : 
 
SLAVES/FEUDAL/INDUSTRIAL/CAPITALIST:  
Sociological study involves understanding at 2 levels-macro and micro. 
 
1. At macro level: how is work organized among different sections of population and  how is 
it influenced by social factors —broad distinction made between traditional and modern 
society. 
KEYWORD - ADAPCO 
 
1. Traditional society: slave and feudal- -organization of work is simple, ascription 
based, collective orientation,  affectivity, informal relation. 
2. Modern society: capitalist- Organization of work is complex, formal, Achievement 
based, self-oriented, affective-neutral. 
3. MARX: in both trad. + modern organization à dichotomy of haves and have-
nots à common exploitative process in both. 
 
2. At microlevel: specific aspects included within activities in terms of allocation, 
performances,consequences etc.  
KEYWORD – MADRAS P 
 
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Sleepy Classes 
 
1. Major form of activity : 
1. SLAVE: hunting and food gathering. 
2. FEUDAL: agriculture 
3. INDUSTRIAL: Factory system 
4. POST-INDUSTRIAL: service/information society 
2. Source of power : 
1. SLAVE:  tool ownership 
2. FEUDAL: land ownership 
3. INDUSTRIAL: capital ownership 
4. POST-INDUSTRIAL: dispersion of power(information ownership) 
3. System of stratification : organization also influenced by patterning of social 
inequalities. 
1. Traditional(slave+feudal): ascribed, derived by heredity,caste 
driven[interdependent dimensions of caste, status,power i.e. if higher in caste will 
be higher in both status and power] 
2. Modern: achievement oriented, innovation rewarded, rationalized society. 3 
independent dimension- class, status,power. 
4. Nature of roles:  
1. traditional ->social expectations – few + simple. E.g. DURKHIEM à LOW 
MORAL DENSITY 
2. Modern->social expectations high + complex 
5. Social mobility:  
1. traditional – less mobility 
2. modern- open and numerous avenues 
3. E.g. SOROKIN à DIFFERENTIATED BETWEEN 
INTERGENERATIONAL  AND  genrational 
6. Degree of alienation:  
1. Traditional - less 
2. Modern- high 
3. E.g. KARL MARX à Evolution of societies associated with INCREASING 
alienation. 
7. Organization of production :  
1. traditional: simple d.o.l. 
2. eg. DURKHIEM: MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY 
3. Modern: complex d.o.l + organic solidarity 
 
 
  
 
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https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Formal and informal organization of work. 
 
1. Formal organisation 
Formal organizations represent those organizations which are characterized by a 
specific function, division of labour, a hierarchy of authority, rationality and a proper 
arrangement of statuses and role. They are carefully planned and systematically 
worked out. 
 
Characteristics of a formal organization 
1. Well defined rules and regulation, Determined objectives and policies 
2. Limitation on the activities of the individual 
3. Strict observance of the principle of co-ordination 
4. Messages are communicated through scalar chain 
 
2. Informal organisation 
Informal organization refers to a small group the members of which are tied to one 
another as persons. The group is characterized by informal and face to face relations, 
mutual aid, cooperation and companionship. The members of informal organizations 
work together not in their official capacities but as persons 
 
Keith Hart - Characteristics of the informal sector: 
1)  Low levels of skill. Workers have low levels of education, skills and engaged in jobs involving 
low technology.  
2)  Easy entry 
3) Low paid employment 
4) The fourth characteristic of the informal sector, according to Hart is that it is largely composed 
of immigrant labour. 
 
There are many different reasons for informal organization: 
1. Informal standards: personal goals and interests of workers differ from official 
organizational goals. 
2. Informal communication: changes of communication routes within an enterprise due to 
personal relations between coworkers. 
3. Informal group: certain groups of coworkers have the same interests, or (for example) 
the same origin. 
4. Informal leaders: due to charisma and general popularity, certain members of the 
organization win more influence than originally intended. 
5. Different interests and preferences of coworkers. 
6. Different status of coworkers. 
 
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7. Difficult work requirements. 
8. Unpleasant conditions of work. 
 
Informal work 
1. Much of the work done in the informal economy, for example, is not recorded in any direct 
way in the official employment statistics . 
2. The term informal economy refers to transactions outside the sphere of regular 
employment, sometimes involving the exchange of cash for services provided, but also 
often involving the direct exchange of goods or services 
The informal economy includes not only 'hidden' cash transactions, but also many forms of self-
provisioning, which people carry on inside and outside the home. Do-it-yourself activities, 
domestic machinery and household tools, for instance, provide goods and services which would 
otherwise have to be purchased 
 
 
Voluntary work, for charities or other organizations, is another form of work, which 
has an important social role, often filling the gaps ignored by official and commercial 
goods and services  providers and enhancing people's quality of life. Many types of work 
just do not conform to orthodox categories of paid employment. 
 
Distinction between FORMAL & INFORMAL debate can be understood at 3 levels: 
1. At macro-level - 
1. Trad. = work- informal organized 
2. Modern= more formal organization of work 
2. At micro-level/specific work à  
1. in informal organized work —formal structure emerges. 
2. In formal organization —informal structure emerges. 
3. (WITH TIME , the formal organization emerges from informal organization as a 
continous process) 
3. Explanation of reasons, benefits, organization of work.