Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 8.1 Fordism
Fordism is a term that is used to describe an economic system that emerged in the middle decades
of the twentieth century. The term Fordism is derived from the organization and technological
innovations in car manufacture that were developed by Henry Ford of the Ford Motor Company in
Michigan (Harvey, 1989b: 125). At the heart of these innovations were the instigation of $5, eight-
hour days (which represented a significant improvement on workers' pay and conditions), and the
implementation of an automated car assembly line (Harvey, 1989b). Despite its origins in Ford's
Michigan car plant, Fordism refers to a much broader set of socio-economic changes. In many ways,
the idea of Fordism informed the welfare state systems that were constructed following the end of
World War II. Welfare states did two important things: 1) they offered support for working class
populations in the form of health care, improved pension schemes and unemployment benefit
payments; and 2) they supported economic growth by sponsoring the development of large-scale
state projects, such as road and house building, the construction of new dams and reservoirs, and
the building of new airports. Such initiatives provided active state support for the mass-
production/mass-consumption society. Ultimately, welfare states enabled the principles of Fordism
to be applied at a national level.
Source: Wikimedia Creative Commons, Boston Public Library
Key reading
Harvey, D. (1989b) The Condition of Postmodernity, Blackwell, Oxford
