History Teaches: 
     Effects  of Industrial Revolution

Dare a member of the academic elite opine? Takes a bit of courage these days. However, compelled 

as I am, here are some thoughts. They emerge from what I thought was a sudden flash of brilliant idea.

Further research brought me down a peg by revealing that the idea did not originate with me.

Recently I engaged in very stimulating conversations about the the current state of things with two young

men (freshman and sophomore in high school) and their father. The youngsters were totally engaged 

in the discussion, knowledgeable and very capable of expressing their thought out opinions. In the midst

of extolling the balance of powers in our government, presidential propriety, banning immigrants and 

restoring jobs in coal mines my new idea came as a flash. "We are going through a new industrial revolution

without learning the lessons of the unintended consequences caused by the last one", I blurted out.

Few would doubt that we have entered a period of technological revolution. It seems those in decision making 

positions effecting not only our citizens but also those of the world have failed to comprehend the enormous 

consequences of that revolution. Much less have they considered the unintended negative consequences for 

society which the industrial revolution of the 17th and 18th centuries caused. Highly recommended is an essay 

concerning the social effects of the industrial revolution . I makes abundantly clear the negative effects of 

unbridled free market capitalism.

In 2016 German economist Klaus Schwab published "The Fourth Industrial Revolution" . Reading it brought to 

an end my notion of having a unique idea. After giving historical context and ample evidence for his theory

(and that of others) of this new and equal consequential global revolution he offers a number of chapters on 

the consequences in terms of the economy, nature of work,business, national and global developments,

society at large and the individual. 

Sub-topics in these areas include but are not limited to:

unemployment

nature of work

consumer expectations

collaborative innovation

inequality and the middle class

community

identity, morality and ethics

human connection

managing public and private information

You must be getting the idea. What is facing us cannot be fixed by persuading companies not to move facilities

in order to keep to 1,200 employees on the job; not by assuring coal miners that jobs will come back. 

Coping with what is to come requires major study and planning within an informed and communicating citizenry, 

governance by the constitutionally balanced executive, legislative and judicial branches of government less

interested in re-election or appointment than the best interests of all and influenced by 'the better angels of their

nature, and finally, business within a compassionate capitalist system.

webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/.../industrialrevolution/ireffects.html