The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production

by J. A. (John Atkinson) Hobson

"The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production" by J. A. Hobson is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book examines the structural changes brought on by machine production and capitalism, focusing particularly on the organic evolution of industrial forces as they developed in the context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hobson intends to provide an analysis of how machinery has shaped industrial organization and its broader implications for society, economy, and labor. The opening of the work lays the groundwork by discussing the intersection of industrial science and history, emphasizing the need to study phenomena within economic frameworks while recognizing the complexities and difficulties of precise measurement in the socio-economic realm. Hobson highlights machinery as a central factor in evolving capitalism, laying out the focus of study on the effects of machine production on industry structure, competition, employment, and the role of women and towns in this transformation. The text outlines the methodology of the study, placing machine production at the forefront of inquiry and seeking to understand its implications for labor and societal changes, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of capitalism's evolution through the lens of industrial mechanics.