Question

Explain what is meant by the concept of division of labor. How does division of labor contribute to increased productivity? How did it increase the inter-dependencies within society?

Answer 1

The division of labor refers to the separation of jobs in the economy so that each individual indulge in a task in which they can specialize. Specialization through division of labor increases efficiency and therefore productivity of the individuals since there will be less cost and less wastage. Each individual does the job he /she specializes in and reduces the wastage. There is in fact a chain of individuals with the relevant skills in the process of production and the task of each subsequent and former individuals depend on each individual in the process of production. The division of labor and specialization thus increases inter dependency of individual on each other for their work.