Creating and Conserving Work

Chapters 6 begins to lay out the components of a three-dimensional strategy that aims for a more balanced distribution of work and free time, as well as adequate incomes, across the society. This chapter focuses on creating and conserving decent jobs. It argues for creating public jobs largely as a byproduct of creating public goods and serving public needs. And it argues for conserving decent private sector jobs by “unburdening employment,” or shifting the cost of some worker entitlements off the platform of employment and onto a broader foundation. Both would secure a range of benefits beyond their tendency to create and conserve jobs.