A route by the productive chain of the brick in neoliberal key

Abstract

The brick manufacturing process is an activity closely linked to the construction sector, one of the most dynamic in recent time. Despite this, no technological advances have been made, with few exceptions. It is an “intensive labor” industry (Basualdo, 2009); in which, the possibilities of expanding profit margins come from the exploitation of the workers.

Two moments of our recent history, in the mid-1990s and the 2001-2002 period, show an important impact on the activity, the first with an increase in the construction activity and consequently in the brick industry; the second one is marked by a deep stagnation and recession. In both periods there was a reconfiguration of actors in the productive chain and redefinition of functions within the cutters.

We will try to explain how these changes were installed and promoted from the notion of neoliberal rationality proposed by Verónica Gago (2014) “from below neoliberalism consists in de proliferation of ways of life that reorganize the notions or freedom, calculation and obedience, projecting a new rationality and collective affectivity” (Gago 2014:10)