If you halve the workforce, they're all twice as valuable.

It would also work if couples started working part time. That would give both of them a balance instead of all one or the other. And men and women wouldn't complain about each other as much because they'd both understand both domains.

People who have leisure time have the time to reflect, that is highly discouraged in society. Good little cogs don't think.

Exactly! I can't believe I forgot to mention that. This is actually what the Pharaoh did to keep the Hebrew slaves in line.