【考研真题】1996年阅读3(1/3)

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本文是一篇论述19世纪后半叶英国劳资关系变化及股东食利阶层出现的文章。
state-owned
In the last half of the 19th century 'capital' and 'labor' were enlarging and perfecting their rival organizations on modern lines. Many an old firm was replaced by a limited liability company with a bureaucracy of salaried managers. The change met the technical requirements of the new age by engaging a large professional element and prevented the decline in efficiency that so commonly spoiled the fortunes of family firms in the second and third generation after the energetic founders. It was moreover a step away from individual initiative, towards collectivism and municipal and state-owned business. The railway companies, though still private business managed for the benefit of shareholders, were very unlike old family business. At the same time the great municipalities went into business to supply lighting, trams and other services to the taxpayers.19世纪后半叶，“资方”和“劳方”按现代方式不断扩大并各自完善相互对立的组织。许多旧式企业被有限责任公司所取代，由领薪经理构成其管理机构。这种变革通过聘用大量专业人员来适应新时代的技术要求，并防止了效率的降低，而在过去这种低效率使得许多旧式家族企业在精力充沛的创业者之后的第二、三代手中破产倒闭。而且这也是公司摆脱个体创造力，向集体化和市营、国营迈出的一步。铁路公司，虽然仍是为股东谋利的私有企业，但还是与旧家族企业大不相同了。与此同时，大城市的市政府也开始涉足实业界，为纳税人提供照明、电车及其他服务。