The Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Social Class
Before the end of the 17th century, most economies in the world practiced handiwork
production processes. However, this changed with the onset of the next century; a period during
which agriculture and other sectors of economy integrated the use of mechanized means of
primary and secondary production. In different parts of the world and at home, Britain gained
popularity as the first country to incorporate new forms of production. Most countries learned the
success of the mechanization idea, and towards the middle of the 18th century, many nations had
adopted the use of the technique. Although the industrial revolution had a significant impact on
the global economies, its introduction led to adverse ramifications on some aspects of the social
class. Thus, this paper will discuss the revolution’s effect on social class.
In essence, the industrial revolution increased the size of the wealthy class. The
occurrence of the revolution seems to have worked to the advantage of the middle and the upper
class. This is inherently clear when analyzing its effect on the size of the different classes of
individuals with respect to their economic status and power to purchase (Findling & Thackeray,
2002). The establishment and integration of new technological models of manufacturing led to
the subsequent reduction in the prices of some commodities, which eventually increased the
individual’s power to make purchases. Individuals that earlier found it difficult to obtain certain
products due to reasons based on price ceilings later gained power of buying such products,
implying the surge in economic benefits to a part of the existing population.
Additionally, despite the surge in the buying power among certain populations, due to
industrial growth, the size of the poor doubled at a rate that surpassed the ratio of growth in the
size of the rich. Individuals with limited work skills were required to perform most of the menial
jobs which yielded low wages (Findling & Thackeray, 2002). Consequently, low wages implied
that the poor missed out of the amenities enjoyed by the rich, such as some entertainment
facilities. Moreover, machinery replaced certain forms of human labor, causing job losses and
unemployment. Therefore, the economic strain among the poor increased due to work strain.
On the other hand, although the revolution had adverse consequences on the
economically disadvantaged populations, it inspired the growth of some aspects of economies, to
which each class accrued benefits. For instance, growth and development in the manufacturing
sector provided a platform for initiation of new ventures and amenities that were significant to
the whole groups of classes. Besides, the growth in the number of learning, medical, and
recreational institutions provided a lot of services to people, irrespective of socioeconomic status
(Seccombe, 2005). Thus, the same measure of the usefulness of education to the poor was
significantly important to the rich and so was the value of medication. In this regard, the
revolution was more of a significant viability to all social classes.
In conclusion, effects of the industrial revolution on social class are inherent in some
aspects of its repercussions within the economic framework. Besides doubling the number of the
poor and the rich, it caused a rise in the economic gap between the two. However, despite the
revolution’s negative impact on the social class, it is a reason for the growth of economies of
different countries such as Britain and America. Therefore, the revolution had a general
significance value.
Reference
- Findling, J. E., & Thackeray, F. W. (2002). Events that changed Great Britain since 1689. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
- Seccombe, W. (2005). Weathering the storm: Working-class families from the industrial revolution to the fertility decline. London: Verso.
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