Technological Unemployment
Automation and Artificial Intelligence is on the rise. People are worried about losing their jobs due to the increasing use of machines. Technology has increased jobs in many areas, however people are being displaced. This is called technological unemployment
It’s thought to have been an issue at least since the invention of the wheel. Many societies throughout history have had their own methods of dealing with such. Ancient China and Egypt are believed to have had some sort of relief programmes for those incapable of work or the unemployed since at least 2000BC. Workers in Ancient Greece were being replaced in mass by slaves, who were described as “machines of flesh and blood”. Some were found to have been supported by handouts, but they often either died as they couldn’t support themselves or were forced into slavery. I’m happy we’ve moved passed those days.
Unemployment became so bad in Ancient Rome that a method of cheap transportation for heavy goods was banned by Emperor Vespasian, with him stating “You must allow my poor hauliers to earn their bread." From about 2000AD, unemployment appeared to mostly recede until the 14th century, when new technology was widely adopted. This issue of technological unemployment hadn’t quite shown its head yet though, as a large percentage of Europe’s population was wiped out by the bubonic plague. This pandemic was known as Black Death, and I’m sure you know about it.
Come the 15th century, unemployment was on the rise in Europe. To battle this, many authorities would block new labour-saving technologies to try and support workers. This went so far as to execute people who tried to promote this technology. As time went on, these restrictions were relaxed. This occurred first in Great Britain, which helped them get the lead in the Industrial Revolution. It wasn’t completely relaxed however, and there is a documented example of Queen Elizabeth I refusing the adoption of a labour-saving sewing machine. The inventor returned under James I’s rule, but was once again denied.
The closer we get to the modern day, the less restrictive governments have been on this labour-saving technology, becoming less sympathetic to the unemployed. This is when the conversation started to become more popular with the public, and groups such as the Luddites went as far as breaking machinery in an act of rebellion. In the 19th century, debates on technological unemployment were commonplace. Karl Marx became part of the conversation in the middle of the century, having a very pessimistic view of the situation. Even though he is deeply influential in politics, he struggled to inspire change. It was found that, at least in the UK, technology was helping the economy and the standard of living for all classes.
Moving to the 20th century, the conversation flowed over to the United States, with them becoming the economic superpower of the world. There were two peak periods of debate, but both were interrupted by conflict. World War II and the Vietnam War. Unemployment fell drastically in these time periods, and the conversation faded. In India, Ghandi demanded that labour-saving technology be halted so they can work on the issue of unemployment. This was disregarded by the Prime Minister of India, however in Chairman Mao’s China, he did block many technologies to help with their employment issue.
In the golden age of capitalism, unemployment rose, and unlike previous times, did not fall. It has stayed quite steady up till now. With the rise of modern automation and the rise in AI, things might not stay steady for long, and the conversation is starting to brew once again.
An example of modern-day hysteria over potential technological unemployment is self-checkouts. After all, there used to be multiple cashiers ready to scan your items, but now they’re metal boxes with a friendly automated voice. However, from 2018 to now, there hasn’t been a noticeable reduction in retail jobs. Employers swear they are just redistributing these employees elsewhere in the shop where they are needed. Self-checkouts not only haven’t stolen their job, but they’ve also made it easier. They now have fewer jobs to tend to, reducing the stress involved with work.