The only jobs that are broadly understood and respected are those that involve turning raw materials into physical consumer goods. But much real value is in jobs that turn human beings into more fulfilled human beings. (Creative sector, education, care, many services.) Far better for the planet too.
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In reality the economy is us, all of us, and what we do.
The 'no manufacturing' fear is really a balance of trade fear.
(There's a separate 'exporting jobs' issue).
Incidentally, the Jacquard loom existed in his day, so Marx coexisted with the earliest "software engineering".