Subject
Industries -- History Books
Best books
J. A. (John Atkinson) Hobson
The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production
"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.
Thorstein Veblen
The instinct of workmanship, and the state of industrial arts
"The Instinct of Workmanship and the State of Industrial Arts" by Thorstein Veblen is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the relationship between human instincts, particularly the instinct of workmanship, and the evolution of industrial arts within various cultures. Veblen sets the stage for analyzing how technological practices are shaped by underlying instinctive human behaviors and the consequent social structures. At the start of the book, Veblen introduces the concept of instinctual behaviors that underpin human activity, suggesting that our workflows and cultural advancements are significantly influenced by innate proclivities. He discusses the diminishing emphasis on the term "instinct" in modern biological sciences, while asserting its relevance in understanding the development of cultural institutions. The opening chapter emphasizes that human actions are bound by these instincts, setting the foundation for a broader examination of how these instinctive behaviors intertwine with the progression of craftsmanship and technology. Veblen aims to demonstrate that the evolution of industrial arts is not just a product of technological demands but is deeply rooted in the complex interplay of human instincts and societal evolution.
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