Capitalist Self-Interest During The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was period of rapid economic and social growth during the mid 18th and early 19th centuries. The new found power of coal and iron made for many new innovations in machinery. Not all of the Industrial Revolution’s changes were physical. A new ideology arose from the sweat of the working class: socialism. Socialism is a political theory advocating state or collective ownership of property and industry opposed to private ownership. To fully understand the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and socialism, one must first be comfortable with the Revolution and its changes, socialism itself, and the fine line of events linking the two together.

The Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was arguably the most important turning point in history. It transformed the manufacture of goods from craftsmanship to commercialism, exponentially increasing output and decreasing production cost leading to prosperity and an unprecedented supply of goods for the markets of the world. Industrialization and mass production was the fuel which ignited the flame of capitalism which was already established creating bringing sweeping changes in wealth and its distribution. Within a few generations the very fabric of society was virtually remade as millions left the farms and villages of the countryside for jobs in the cities. This monumental change did not immediately sweep

     Marx describes the problem in great detail in the first chapter. He feels there is a problem between the bourgeoisie and the proletarians. The bourgeoisie were the oppressed class before the French Revolution and he argues that they are now the oppressors. The proletarians are the new working class, which works in the large factory and industries. He says that through mass industry they have sacrificed everything from the old way of religion, employment, to a man’s self worth and replaced it with monetary value. He is mad that the people of ole that use to be upper class such as skills man, trades people, & shopkeepers, are now slipping into the proletarians or working class. He

The Industrial Revolution brought about great changes in how goods were produced and consumed, but it also brought about social and political changes. Some were positive, such as machines relieving much of the toil previously placed on worker’s muscles. But there were also negative changes.

Thus, it was believed that conflicting classes existed because individuals developed an appropriate sense of class-consciousness (Buckler 740). This consciousness is very obvious when looking at the mindset of the middle-class owners. They were primarily focused on production and gave little thought to the environment of their workers. As a result, most early factories contained extremely unpleasant work conditions. Mills and factories were dangerously loud, and they were sweltering hot in the summer while poorly heated in the winter. Work days consisted of endlessly long hours and holidays were rarely granted. Furthermore, no laws or unions stood protecting the early urban proletariat workers. Despite these horrid conditions, the proletariat workers were desperate for jobs and were entirely dependant on their employers. Also, because of class-consciousness, they came to accept their positions in society as grueling factory workers. On top of terrible work conditions, the Proletariats’ living conditions were less than satisfactory due to the rapid population increase in urban cities. Until the Industrial Revolution, most of the continent’s population was rural. However, by mid-nineteenth century, half of all Europeans lived in cities and worked in the new industrial factories instead of farms. This transformation of Europe from a rural to urbanized society depressed the living standards of workers to horrendous levels. In doing so, however, it

Often times in liberal societies the wealthy take all of the money, leaving the middle class and the poor with nothing. The text chosen for source one emphasizes the fact that the wealthy and corporate elite need to take care of the poor, that it is their responsibility to ensure the common good is being met. It explains how higher classes have a collective obligation to help those who are in need. This idea corresponds with having a collective responsibility; a strong principle of collectivism. The ideas given in the text are collectivist ideas, describing how it is a responsibility of the rich to work for the common good, not just their own good. This mimics another principle of collectivism: collective interest. The author of the source does not explain the ridding of the social classes, but they outline the ideas of the upper class making sure that classes lower than them are being taken care of. The source does not describe government involvement, which is why the source mirrors the ideas of Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism. Owen believed that it was the factory owners job to take sure that their workers were treated with proper care and consideration. This puts an emphasis on a great responsibility of the rich working towards the collective good, just as the source described above. In contrast, many capitalists would likely disagree with the notion, because it puts restraints on the economic freedoms they hold so dearly. Capitalists believe in pursuing your self

Rapid growth of business, industrialization, and monopolies, contributed to the Industrial Revolution in the United States during the Progressive Era. Following a policy of laissez- faire failed to control big businesses. Although some critics may believe that the government negatively impacted businesses during the Industrial Revolution, the regulations put onto businesses positively contributed to economic growth and protected the American citizens from the big businesses.

During the 19th century, Europe underwent political and economic change resulting in a shift from craft production to factory work. This was a time known as the Industrial Revolution, in which class division and wage labor were the most foregrounded aspects of society (Poynton). Karl Marx’s theories during this time gave way to new perspectives and different ways of viewing oneself in class positions. Comparisons between social and political structures in the 19th century and the 21st century expose the similarities that have yet to be modified. Marxist theory proved to offer a framework for society to undergo evolutionary change that would put an end to the capitalist mode of production that developed during the Industrial Revolution in Europe (Connelley). Marxism greatly outlines the struggle between different classes and groups belonging to the political world and how this class struggle affects the means of production. Broadly speaking, capitalism is a structure of political inequality and once overcome will lead to communism, inevitably weakening the boundary between classes. Although beneficial for the workers who want to live as free men, the upper class will be placed on that same wavelength. The greater political structure will form into a realm that will abolish the exploitation and oppression of workers, thus placing power in the hands of those who do not benefit from the unequal distribution of wealth. It involves a combination of political and economic factors

When Marxism appeared in the world, they turned out to be nothing more than the same old command economies. During the industrial revolution property rights were not secure, it was to the point where it was no longer productive. There were many high labor cost when it came to running a farm and it affected the french farmers more than it did the British farmers. The french farms were far less productive which led to less food for their soldiers and the less food they had it was harder to find more food to provide and nourish the soldiers. Coal started to be used as a cheaper sources of energy. Britain had much more access to coal that almost all of the other European areas, due to the abundance that they had access to this was the main source of energy for the British. Bourgeoisie was on the rise in Britain, but this was also accompanied by the educational revolution. This schools were funded by the government and private investor. The schools were located approximately every 12 miles. These free schools were schools that taught not only reading but also grammar, writing, arithmetic, and bookkeeping. There were higher up schools that were called “grammar schools” that prepared you to attend universities. Far before the industrial revolution, Britain was the most educated population in the world. This is thought to be one of the main reasons the Industrial Revolution was

The start of private ownership of the means of production was a break away from the middle ages. Wealthy businessmen had the peasants produce textiles, which broke the guild’s monopoly. The law of supply and demand determines prices kept prices fixed. The sharp distinction and little contact with the workers and the capitalist who owns the means of the production lasted between the guild master and their laborers. The gap between capitalists and their workers would prove to be a serious problem in the Industrial Revolution of the 1800's. The profit motive was restricted by the church against charging more than fair price. The creation of the profit motive changed the attitudes and values in European civilization. Over all, capitalism paved the way for the rise of national monarchs in Europe by providing them with the capital to build up strong and professional armies and bureaucracies. The powerhouses of Europe would be the states who best adapted to capitalism, and they would eventually establish dominance of the world in later centuries.

Throughout the Industrial Revolution, factory owners used children as workers in the factories. They endured harsh working conditions and dangerous situations. Consequently, many times, dangerous jobs adults could not do would hurt the children. They were small enough to fit is tight places and had small hands that could work in the machines; most of these places adults cannot fit. In addition, factory owners paid the children little because the children could not defend their pay. So, overall the factory owners treated the children as subhuman and “used” as workers, instead of being fairly treated as a child. These children never lived their childhood, but went straight to work. To document these harsh conditions and try to bring about reform, Lewis Hine photographed children in the mills. He displayed their harsh working conditions for all people to show that children are not living their childhood. In this paper, I will discuss two photographs that had the initial purpose of reform, but after much circulation and viewing, became an icon to child labor. Americans viewed these images so much, they lost their ability to strike change in the people, and because a common image to see. However, these images still brought reform even though they caused desensitization in people. Although there are other theories that oppose Sontag’s application to photographs of children in the Industrial Revolution because they are so heartbreaking, this paper argues how two photographs taken

Capitalism had a major impact on individuals in society. Marx argued capitalism to only be in favour of the people at the top while those at the bottom would be left to suffer. It became evidently clear that the proletariats would be exploited by the bourgeoisie for their manual labour which would only lead to profits for the upper class. This change in society meant that those who used to own businesses and grow crops in their own land would lose any authority they had over their own means of production which leads to alienation. This meant that the only way to be able to afford provisions in order to survive would require them to work for an authoritative figure in return for a wage which would not coincide with the level of work produced.

Capitalism started up as a system of investing and sharing money in order to increase the value of resources in the future. Capitalism was just an economic system, but then soon turned into a complex system of ethical practices. Harari defines capitalism as, “a set of teachings about how people should behave, educate their children and even think” (Harari 314). This economic system evolved along with the people that were endorsing it. Capitalism enables the rich to get richer, while the poor continue to get poorer. There are many benefits to capitalism, but there are downfalls as well, and these downfalls tend to be masked because of the rapid speed capitalists grow at. Harari first presents a definition for capitalism, and soon goes into great detail on why capitalism, while fast paced and unforgiving, is able to stand unwavered while other productions fail.

Regardless of their circumstances, what people want most of all is to be happy—the innate wish to have security and happiness has been ingrained in all living things since the dawn of time and has not wavered since, remaining as something which influences—if not dictates—every action someone takes. It follows that their beliefs and actions should manifest directly from that intrinsic, imperative, imperial wish to be happy; in that sense, one could consider the “will of the people” to be what they believe will best allow them to succeed in their pursuit of happiness, given that people would only want things that would aid in that pursuit and give them happiness. Granted, this makes the “will of the people” extremely diverse and divided, and

The Industrial Revolution was the quintessence of capitalistic ideals; it bred controversy that led to Karl Marx’s idea of communism as a massive grass roots reaction to the revolution’s social abuses. Firstly, the Industrial Revolution featured the construction of machines, systems and factories that allowed goods to be manufactured at a faster rate with a lower cost. The seed drill made it so there could be “a semi-automated, controlled distribution and plantation of wheat seed”(Jones 2013). Secondly, there was a great social and economic divide between the wealthy owners and the poor workers, which gave rise to the mass’s vulnerability to the advent of extreme socialism. Figures of authority severely oppressed their employees by giving them insufficient pay, a treacherous work environment, and even making some children work more than 12 hours per day (Cranny 150). Finally, far right capitalism created a brutal boom and bust cycle of economics that made, for the multitude at the bottom, a perpetual nightmare of poverty and death. People responded to this social situation by taking part in violent protests; oppression sires rebellion. The Industrial Revolution was the chassis of great imagination and progress of political, economic, and social force that still affects this world today.