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The post-industrial society: from utopia to ideology

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  • Kristoffer Chelsom Vogt

Abstract

Theories of post-industrial society have since their earliest formulations had a questionable relation to actual processes of social change. This article explores why they nonetheless continue to hold influence. Drawing on Mannheim, it argues that theories of post-industrial society were originally formulated as utopia – hopeful speculations about the future. When their core concepts are used to describe present conditions, however, they take on the role of ideology, in Mannheim’s sense of this term. The ideology of post-industrial society represents a specific world view in relation to work, knowledge and education. It elevates and celebrates ‘knowledge work’ and renders invisible existing forms of industry and workers’ knowledge necessary for practical work. When the present is viewed through the lens of these theories, practical work is cast as the work of yesterday and the people who do it as yesterday’s people.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristoffer Chelsom Vogt, 2016. "The post-industrial society: from utopia to ideology," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(2), pages 366-376, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:30:y:2016:i:2:p:366-376
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017015577911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Green, Francis, 2013. "Skills and Skilled Work: An Economic and Social Analysis," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199642854.
    2. Paul Thompson & Chris Warhurst & George Callaghan, 2001. "Ignorant Theory and Knowledgeable Workers: Interrogating the Connections between Knowledge, Skills and Services," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(7), pages 923-942, November.
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    4. Ewart Keep & Ken Mayhew, 2010. "Moving beyond skills as a social and economic panacea," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 24(3), pages 565-577, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anahid Roux-Rosier & Ricardo Azambuja & Gazi Islam, 2018. "Alternative visions : permaculture as imaginaries of the anthropocene," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) halshs-01958956, HAL.
    2. Anahid Roux-Rosier & Ricardo Azambuja & Gazi Islam, 2018. "Alternative visions : permaculture as imaginaries of the anthropocene," Post-Print halshs-01958956, HAL.
    3. Natalia N. Telnova & Svyatoslav Serikov & Nelli A. Savelyeva & Tatiana Litvinova & Alexander Tenishchev, 2016. "Role of Business Administration in the Process of Formation of Post-Industrial Economy," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 294-301.

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