This chapter will serve as the final core observation point in the analysis of economic and social structures. We will focus on the recent phenomenon of the “Great Resignation,” arguing that behind it lies not merely the short-term impact of the pandemic, but a collective rebellion by the American working class against the long-standing model of “low-wage, high-pressure, meaningless” work. This reflects a fundamental shift in labor values within the American Dream and the ultimate discontent with the existing economic system.

First Thesis: The “Great Resignation”: Phenomenon and Essence

I. The Phenomenon of the “Great Resignation”

The “Great Resignation” refers to the phenomenon of millions of American workers voluntarily quitting their jobs, particularly concentrated in low-wage service sectors and high-pressure white-collar positions.

Surface Explanation: Work-from-home arrangements due to the pandemic, increased savings, or concerns about health.

Deep Essence: This represents a collective, non-organized rebellion against three decades of wage stagnation (Chapter Sixty-One), increased work intensity, and declining quality of life.

II. The Core of the Rebellion: The Shift in Labor Values

The core of this rebellion is the redefinition of the “meaning of work” by workers after the complete bankruptcy of the American Dream narrative that “hard work leads to rewards”:

From “Necessity for Survival” to “Exchange of Value”: Workers are no longer willing to exchange extremely low wages for high-intensity exploitative labor, especially after recognizing the importance of work-life balance.

Institutional Failure: This rebellion is the ultimate indictment of institutional failure (Part Four)—the system’s inability to ensure fair distribution of labor value.

Second Thesis: The Structural Drivers of the Rebellion

III. Driver One: Long-Term Squeeze from Low Wages and Exploitation

Decades of wage stagnation (Chapter Sixty-One) are the fundamental cause of the rebellion:

Decoupling of Wages and Productivity: Worker productivity has steadily increased over the past decades, but wages have not kept pace, with profits concentrated in capital and top management (Chapter Sixty-Two).

The Unattainable “Living Wage”: Full-time wages for many jobs cannot even cover basic living expenses (such as rent, healthcare, Chapters Seventy-Four and Sixty-Six), rendering the promise that “hard work leads to a decent life” a lie.

IV. Driver Two: Accumulation of Work Intensity and Mental Stress

Under financialization (Chapter Sixty-Two) and the doctrine of efficiency, work intensity and stress have dramatically increased:

The Cost of “Lean Production”: To maximize short-term shareholder returns (stock buybacks, Chapter Sixty-Two), companies continuously cut staff, shifting more workload and pressure onto remaining workers.

Mental Exhaustion: Under the dual squeeze of economic despair and mental stress, workers choose to quit to seek psychological self-preservation (Chapter Seventy-Five).

V. Driver Three: The Deepening of Technological Alienation

Technology (Chapter Sixty-Nine) applied in the workplace has intensified alienation:

Surveillance and Dehumanization: Technology is used for more precise employee monitoring, further stripping workers of autonomy and dignity.

Loss of Meaning: In highly fragmented and automated work, workers struggle to find meaning and a sense of accomplishment.

Third Thesis: Social Impact and Political Shifts

VI. The Budding of Class Consciousness and Potential Political Implications

The “Great Resignation” is a significant signal of the budding “class consciousness” among the American working class:

Substitute for Collective Action: Although not organized union action, this collective quitting behavior has increased the bargaining power of lower-class workers in the market.

Political Potential: This energy of discontent, if properly channeled, could transform into broader support for union movements, socialist policies, or populist politics.

VII. The Ultimate Negation of the American Dream

The “Great Resignation” is the ultimate, most direct negation of the American Dream:

Bankruptcy of the Work Ethic: The core of the American Dream is the “work ethic.” When workers collectively reject the existing work model, it means the public has determined that the system has betrayed this moral promise.

Shaking of Social Stability: Worker rebellion against work puts the stability of the economy and the functioning of society under sustained challenge.

VIII. Chapter Conclusion: The Final Summary of Economic Fragmentation

The analysis in Chapter Eighty draws the conclusion for the economic and social fragmentation section of this book.

Presentation of the Core Argument: The “Great Resignation” is a collective rebellion against long-term economic exploitation and institutional failure. It marks a fundamental shift in labor values and completely negates the American Dream’s promise that “hard work will be rewarded.”

NEXT: Chapter 81: The Predicament of Local Governments: A Stress Test of Federalism — The Collapse of Local Autonomy and Public Services