Labour and Dignity (Arvorian: Труд и достоинство) is a manifesto written by Aleksandr Belikov, remembered by history as the Founding Father of modern Arvor. Published in 7556 RH, it presents an analytical approach to the concept of the value and importance of work balanced against the dignity and rights of the people. The book is considered a "foundational text" in the development of the modern socialist republic.
Belikov touches on three core trends in his work:
- Advancing technology, which the professor predicted would bring about great changes comparable to, or even beyond the scale of, the previous Industrial Revolution.
- Addressing environmental issues, wherein he cautions that careful management of natural resources and responsible stewardship of the natural beauty of the land is of great importance to a nation's well-being.
- Equity and opportunity, which focuses on the importance of increasing the equality of society and expanding the opportunities available worldwide, this spreading prosperity and positive development.
From there, he covers several key aspects of labour and its place within society: the dignity of labour, the relationship of labour and capital, the rights of workers, and the value and importance of work.
Dignity of labour
Labour and Dignity begins with the exposition that work is more than just an activity, or even a commodity. Belikov argues it is an essential part of life. Several passages within the text highlight this belief.
"Work is a fundamental component of life. While the religious beliefs of the many peoples of the world touch directly and indirectly upon the concept of honest work and speak of it in a myriad of ways, it is a fundamental truth of our existence that work is a part and parcel of the growth and advancement of civilisation. Even as the people learn, develop, and expand, focusing their efforts on harnessing the resources of this world and subduing it to their needs, however, it is equally important that they temper this drive with a rational and measured approach, making responsible use of said resources and the subdual of the land to their requirements and preserving the beauty and purity of it as much as possible."
"The world is a resource all peoples must harness in a planned and rational way. In this respect, therefore, it is vital that people are recognised as capable of deciding about themselves, and with a tendency to self-realisation. In this way, all people are the subject of work, as it through work, that vehicle of growth and development, that society is improved upon."
"In the modern world, there are a number of circumstances and situations that degrade the dignity of honest work. These represent a threat to the correct order of values. Work must not be treated as a product to be sold; the workers must not be treated as an impersonal "work force". When this happens, they are treated as little more than instruments. This violates the dignity of the people and reduces them to little more than numbers on a balance sheet and is a fundamental abrogation of the natural right of all people to be treated with equity and decency."
"When one understands it not as a capacity or aptitude for work, but rather as a set of instruments which the people can use in their work, technology is undoubtedly the ally of the people. It faciliates work, improves, accelerates, and augments it. It leads to an increase in the quantity of things produced, and by and large improves their quality. It is an unfortunate fact, however, that in some instances technology can be in opposition to the worker, as it can be used as an excuse to reduce the need for those whose skills are "hands on", and therein causes a reduction in employment. Thus, a balance is vital to both maintaining a strong production capability of dependable quality and ensuring that the people have access to work."
Labour and capital
In his writings on labour and capital, Belikov set forth a number of basic priorities as a framework for discussing issues of labour, capital, and property ownership. Much of this portion of the book focused on concepts now core to the Arvorian economy: a dynamic view of ownership and economics, commended agreements with worker co-ownership, shareholding by workers, joint ownership, and profit-sharing.
- Labor takes precedence over capital.
- People are more important than things.
For contrast, Belikov named two ideas he considered to be errors: excessive materialism and unfettered economism. Excessive materialism will subordinate people to property while unfettered economism considers the value of workers' labour only according to its economic purpose. This mindset critical of the aforementioned concepts became a cornerstone of socialist thought in Arvor.
"While it is the privilege of all peoples who perform honest labour for an honest wage to be able to enjoy the fruits of their efforts, acquiring the things they enjoy and those which improve their comfort and quality, excessive materialism produces a culture in which the acquisition of things, and the value thereof, becomes the sole guiding factor in their lives. Such excess brings about an abundance of waste, which represents a poor sense of responsibility and living within one's means. It is not wrong to buy things one needs or wants, but all peoples should be wary of materialism to an extent that it is not for betterment of life but merely for the process of acquisition. In the same way, unfettered economism results in a system wherein the people, and their work, are reduced to mere statistics. The consideration of its value in such a situation is done solely within the context of its economic purpose. Such a situation engenders a framework for abuse and neglect, and ultimately leaves the working masses forgotten and resentful"
Addressing the growing litany of questions regarding the modern workspace, Belikov wrote of the idea of developing a business model that more fairly rewarded the efforts of the workers while ensuring the organisation maintains the resources it requires to sustain itself, fund its development, and retain the means to handle any needs that may arise.
"All people who work desire due renumeration for their work. But in many instances, they also wish that, within the production processes, provision be made for them to be able to know that in thier work, even on something owned in common, that they are working for themselves. It is important that the worker knows their contribution is a part of something meaningful, and that their efforts play a role in the growth of the enterprise and its well-being. When a system is excessively bureaucratic or centralised, however, this awareness is suppressed, and leaves the worker feeling like little more than a cog in a great mechanism that is moved from above."
"A business should reflect the very real truth that it is only as great as the people who sustain it and perform the work needed to progress its interests. The government and regulation of each individual firm should therefore be such that it harnesses the energy of the workers and allow them a voice within its decisions. To pool their collective ideas and energies into a unified source grants any firm a vast resource for improvement and positive growth."
Workers' rights
Belikov delineated what he called the Five Criterion of Worker Freedom (Пять критериев свободы трудящихся) as folows:
Full employment
"A most fundamental issue in every society is the question of finding work. In other words, the issue of suitable employment for all capable of same. The problem is not lack of resources but poor organisation. The criterion of full employment must be achieved through planning and co-ordination and a better synthesis of education with employment."
Wages and benefits
"All workers must receive a fair and equitable wage for their efforts. Every woman with children has a right to either stay home or work outside the home with accommodation for their family responsibility. While healthcare should be a focused, nationwide effort, employers should provide their staff with pensions, accident insurance, weekends and holidays as part of their benefits, reflecting the correct relationship between worker and employer."
Unions
"The right to unionise should not be limited to industrial workers alone. It belongs to every class and profession. Unions should, at all times, represent the best interests of the workers they support, and reinforce the positive struggle for social justice rather than the deleterious struggle against an "opponent".
All workers likewise have the right to strike within just limits, but only in extreme circumstances when no other method of redress is adequate."
Dignity of all workers
"All workers regardless of position, skills, or experience has the right to equal and equitable treatment. No grade or class of worker should be isolated or subjected to undue hardship as a result of the work they perform. No work should be considered "greater" or "lesser" than any other, whether the worker cultivates the soil or tends to the sick and injured but equated the same respect and dignity. In many situations, radical and urgent change may be needed to address this inequality, and once this is done, all efforts should be maintained to ensure it never again happens."
Rights of disabled persons
"Those who suffer physical infirmity but are willing to work must be accorded the same rights and privileges as all other workers. They are one of us and participate fully in the same commonality we all possess. When challenges to this truth arise, the strength of the community working together can overcome them."