Proponents of a service economy for America sometimes compare the recent decline in manufacturing jobs to the earlier decline in agriculture jobs. In what way are these two declines different? How might this affect the argument that a shift to a service economy will not reduce our standard of living?

First, we need to understand why agriculture jobs declined. The main reason for the decline in agriculture jobs was a rapid increase in productivity due to technological advancements and innovation in farming practices. This led to fewer workers being needed to produce the same amount of output, resulting in a decrease in employment in this sector.

The decline in manufacturing jobs is mostly attributed to globalization and automation. Many manufacturing jobs have been outsourced to countries with lower labor costs, while automation has reduced the number of workers needed to produce a given amount of output. In addition, growth in manufacturing has slowed down in developed economies, further reducing the demand for manufacturing workers.

The main difference between these two declines lies in the forces driving them and the implications for the workforce. The decline in agriculture jobs was primarily due to increased productivity, while the decline in manufacturing jobs is due to a combination of factors, including globalization, automation, and slower growth in developed economies. The workforce displaced by the decline of agriculture jobs could adapt and find new jobs in other sectors, such as manufacturing or services. However, the decline in manufacturing jobs raises concerns about the availability and quality of new jobs for displaced workers, especially in a service-based economy.

Proponents of a service economy argue that it can maintain or even improve the standard of living, as the service sector provides new job opportunities and contributes to economic growth. However, the differences between the declines in agriculture and manufacturing jobs introduce some uncertainty. With the decline in manufacturing jobs due to external forces and automation, there's a concern that the new jobs created in the service sector may not be high-quality jobs with good incomes and benefits. This could potentially lead to a reduction in the overall standard of living of the population. In conclusion, the differences between the declines in agriculture and manufacturing jobs raise questions about the ability of a service economy to maintain or improve the standard of living. While a service economy can create new job opportunities and contribute to growth, it's crucial to pay attention to the quality of these new jobs and their potential impact on the overall well-being of the population.