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

Why do people want bigger cars? Bigger houses? Cell phones? Access to information, more clothes, etc.

If everyone had all the same things they had in the 1920s we would have more free time. But people decided they wanted more.