| This question <31|31> overall <30|32> Gog: <632|32>. graded A |
| Question 689: Give an example of a situation in which productive powers and relations of production are in contradiction. |
| [31] Gog: Contradictory productivity. Relations of production include specialization, which has divided our society into classes and societies within each other. Each specialty has its own wage expectation, specialized language, and place in society. Furthermore, as productive powers increase specialization tends to increase. The goal of specialization is to increase efficiency. This works as productive powers branch outward. For example, with the invention of refrigeration, a whole new specialization was developed. However, because of refrigeration agriculture was also specialized, allowing farmers to concentrate on crops that grow well in their area; therefore, they were no longer required to grow all the necessary foods for their neighbors. |
| Recently a new complication has occurred, today the specialization of refrigeration is mingled with the specialization of computers. Most large markets are monitored and settings controlled via the internet at a central location. Problems often arise with the interface between refrigeration specialization and computer specialization. Refrigeration computers need to be able to convert ohms from pressure and temperature sensors back into pressure and temperature readings. They have also been developed to always run, rarely crash, and be simple to operate so that computer skills are not necessary. They are not computers that computer technicians are specialized in. However, they are connected to routers; contain internet protocols and are quickly containing other aspects that refrigeration technicians are not specialized in. This is a case where two outward branches are now crossing back over into each other, but since the technical skills have already been divided there is a void. |
| In many cases a refrigeration technician and a computer technician are both needed to work on a system to determine the problem. Communication difficulties between the two specialties arise. Often, it is the rare refrigeration technician who understands internet protocols and can communicate with a computer technician. Therefore, these refrigeration technicians are called upon to travel hundreds of miles. |
| Computerized refrigeration is a productive power, offering greater efficiency and reliability; however, the relations of production have left few people specialized enough to efficiently maintain the systems. This is not the efficiency promised by specialization. There will be people trained, both from the current refrigeration and computer fields, and a new specialization of refrigeration computer technician will replace the awkward stage of the moment. |
| Hans: Specialization is a relation of production, and the skills of the producers are a productive power. And these come into contradiction. Interesting example. |
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