Inefficiencies in the division of labour in human societies

Abstract

The article reviews the long-standing debate on the division of labour in human societies from a sociological perspective. The division of labour is analysed as a secular trend towards increasing specialization on the one hand and as prevailing arrangements of specialization on the other. The dominant view in economics and other social sciences is that division of labour exists in human societies because it is efficient. We cast doubt on this view by discussing objections to the efficiency paradigm. We show that efficiency considerations, while important, are ultimately insufficient to explain both increasing specialization over time and prevailing arrangements of specialization in real life. As a broader framework, we briefly outline an explanatory triad of efficiency, norms and power. Social norms and power relations often complement unclear and ambiguous efficiency and performance criteria, but they can also conflict with principles of efficiency and rationality. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Division of labour as key driver of social evolution’.