The grand reversal: On thecorsoandricorsoof human way of life

Abstract

The rapidly emerging pattern of globally interconnected society is characterized by the transition from labor to knowledge as a major new form of capital. The underlying cause of this momentous transformation is the powerful process of reintegration of all previously deintegrated, atomized or specialized ways. After an outswing (corso) of progressive specialization we are encountering (first time in human history) the beginning of a rebound (ricorso) towards the final integration. We study three basic historical divisions which have now exhausted their progressive potential: (1) Division of task is being replaced by the reintegration of task; this is manifested by rapidly declining number of separate parts in our products. (2) Division of labor is being replaced by the reintegration of labor; this is manifested by the narrowing of the gap between producer and consumer, ultimately leading towards widespread self‐production and self‐service of products. (3) Division of knowledge is being replaced by the reintegration of knowledge; this is manifested by declining hierarchies, multifunctionality and self‐management and narrowing of the gap between employees and owners of enterprises. The implications of these reintegrative processes affect not only the economic, social and political dimensions of the emerging society, but the very way of life of humans on this planet.

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