Antagonism between employment policy and technical advance

Nature

The primary aim of an employment policy is the creation of as many jobs as possible, whereas the primary aim of industrial production is the improvement of productivity by advanced working techniques. Quantitative employment is thus in antagonism with qualitative employment.

Counter-claim

By taking only a partial view of the impact of new technologies on the level of employment, it is easy to come to overly pessimistic conclusions. However, in addition to reduced cost and improved quality of goods and services, there are long-term positive effects on employment that can offset short-term job losses - the creation of new products and industries, stimulation of demand for cheaper, better products, and spurring economic growth through increased investment in the new technologies.