2. Work and Alienation

1. How Marxian is Blauner's operationalization of alienation?

2. Aside from Blauner's alleged technological determinism, what do you consider to be the major weaknesses of his study?

3. To what extent does empirical research support Blauner's technology and alienation thesis?

4. Consider the claim that Blauner's study was theoretically informed but methodologically flawed.

5. Assess the view that the gender dimension is the main weakness of Blauner's study.

6. Discuss the view that Blauner's analysis was sound for printers and car workers, but not for textile and chemical workers.

7. Why is Blauner's study so highly regarded by sociologists of work?