1. Industrial Revolution: Political Responses

2. Question: How should society address the concerns of industrialization?

3. Solution?: Do Nothing

4. Who Support this? Capitalists
Gov’t should take a “hands-off” approach to economy
Businesses should be free to make $$ any way they can
Free markets and supply and demand determine prices, wages, etc.

5. Why? Rules and regulations prevent businesses from making $$
Rules and regulations take away individual freedom

6. Solution?: Reform

7. Who supports this? Utilitarians
Gov’t should regulate the economy if that is what is most people’s best interest
Gov’t has a responsibility to promote the most good for the most people
Jeremy Bentham: Father of Utilitarianism

8. Why? More people benefit when businesses are regulated
Unrestrained capitalism is only good for small number of people

9. Who also Supports this? Socialists
Gov’t’s role is to help make society more equal
Gov’t should regulate economy in order to end this inequality

10. Why? Industrialization creates great division and inequality
This division and inequality cause lots of problems
Gov’t control of economy solves problems and make more people happy

11. Solution? Revolution!

12. Who supports this? Marxists
Karal Marx published Communist Manifesto in 1848 with co-author Frederick Engels.
Critical of changes made by Industrial Revolution

13. Karl Marx’s key ideas Society’s problems comes from class conflict
19th century conflict: bourgeoisie (haves) v. proletariat (have-nots)
Solution: End class division
How? Revolution!!!
Result: Perfect classless society

14. Step #1: Violent Revolution!!!!
Proletariat must join together: “Workers of the world, unite!”
Proletariat will then overthrow the bourgeoisie!!

15. Step #2: State socialism
Proletariat takes over government and creates temporary dictatorship
Dictatorship forces changes in order to reshape society (redistribution of $$ and resources)
How long will it last? Unknown

16. Step #3: Communism!!! Everyone has $$ and resources needed
No need for central government; everyone shares wealth
Class divisions eliminated
Society’s problems go away

17. Where First?

18. Then the world….

19. And Eventually: Global Communist Utopia