Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Don’t Talk About It) is a book written by Elizabeth Anderson, a professor of philosophy and women’s studies at the University of Michigan. The book explores the idea that employers have too much control over their employees’ lives, and how this has negative consequences for both the employees and society as a whole.
Chapter 1: The Problem of Private Government
In the first chapter, Anderson introduces the concept of “private government.” She argues that employers have become a form of private government, with control over their employees’ lives that rivals that of the state. This includes control over their employees’ time, behavior, and even their thoughts. Anderson argues that this is a problem because it leads to inequality and injustice, as employees are often forced to accept unfair working conditions and treatment.
Chapter 2: The History of Private Government
In the second chapter, Anderson traces the history of private government back to the Industrial Revolution. She shows how the rise of factories and mass production led to the creation of a new class of workers who were subject to strict controls by their employers. Anderson also discusses how the rise of unions and labor laws helped to mitigate some of the worst abuses of private government, but that these gains have been eroded in recent decades.
Chapter 3: The Expansion of Private Government
In the third chapter, Anderson explores how private government has expanded beyond the factory floor to include white-collar workers and even some professionals. She shows how the rise of technology and globalization has led to a greater emphasis on productivity and efficiency, which has in turn led to more control over employees’ lives. Anderson also discusses how the rise of the gig economy has made private government even more pervasive, as workers are often treated as independent contractors rather than employees.
Chapter 4: The Consequences of Private Government
In the fourth chapter, Anderson discusses the negative consequences of private government. She shows how it leads to inequality and injustice, as employees are often forced to accept unfair working conditions and treatment. Anderson also discusses how private government can lead to a lack of autonomy and agency, as employees are often forced to conform to their employers’ demands. Finally, Anderson shows how private government can have negative consequences for society as a whole, as it can lead to a lack of innovation and creativity.
Chapter 5: The Solution to Private Government
In the fifth chapter, Anderson proposes a solution to the problem of private government. She argues that employees need greater protection from their employers, including stronger labor laws and the right to organize. Anderson also suggests that employers need to be more responsive to their employees’ needs and desires, including their need for autonomy and agency. Finally, Anderson argues that society as a whole needs to rethink its attitudes towards work and the role of employers in our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Private Government is a thought-provoking book that challenges us to rethink our attitudes towards work and the role of employers in our lives. Anderson makes a compelling case that private government is a problem that needs to be addressed, and she proposes a solution that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of workers. Overall, Private Government is a must-read for anyone interested in the relationship between work and society.
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