On Productivity Holism

NPR runs a program about entrepreneurs called, “How I Built This.” By contrast, the song “Solidarity Forever” says, “It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade/Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid.” In this article, I examine two ways to conceptualize the production of goods and services: individualistically or holistically. At issue is whose activity has significant social value. Following a thought from Elizabeth Anderson, I develop and defend a holist view of productivity. I argue that the central issue is normative: how is it best to regard the social phenomenon of extensive joint production and provision of goods and services? I begin by distinguishing different cases of joint productivity in order to focus on large scale activities. I then argue that the concept of marginal contribution does not provide a basis for viewing productivity individualistically. Overall, non‐normative arguments underdetermine the best way to regard our productive activities. I go on to present normative arguments in favor of regarding our joint productive activities holistically. I end by distinguishing four species of productivity holism and by noting issues for further research

Economic growth · Economics · Economy · Epistemology · Goods and services · Holism · Microeconomics · Normative · Phenomenon · Political science · Positive economics · Productivity · Sociology · Solidarity · Computer Science · Economic Theory and Institutions · Law · Philosophy · Political Economy and Marxism · Political Philosophy and Ethics