Technology and automation has led to much greater efficiencies and output for every human in the workforce over the last 50 years. How come this hasn’t led globally to less working hours or a shorter work week for the average worker?

Question

EDIT: Replace ‘every human in the workforce’ with ‘most people’. I agree efficiency has not been gained equally across all professions.

In: Economics

Answer 1

Technology made things more efficient. This allowed a choice to either produce the same amount with less effort, or produce more with same effort.

By and large the latter was chosen leading to lower cost of goods and greater availability of products.

There is a reason grass fed, grass finished organic beef is more expensive. Automation cannot be used like it is at a feed lot.

It’s also way easier to access a variety of goods than back in the 1930s because we produce more options