Power and Progress

There is nothing automatic about new technologies bringing widespread prosperity.

There is nothing automatic about new technologies bringing widespread prosperity. Historical perspective: Throughout history, technological advancements have often benefited a small elite while failing to improve the lives of the majority. This pattern can be observed from ancient agricultural societies to the Industrial Revolution and modern digital technologies. Examples of biased progress: Medieval agricultural innovations primarily benefited landowners and religious institutions Early industrial machinery in textiles displaced skilled artisans Modern AI and automation technologies threaten to eliminate jobs and increase inequality The authors argue that the direction of technological progress is a choice, shaped by those in power, rather than an inevitable force for universal good. This challenges the common narrative of technology as an unstoppable, benevolent driver of progress.

Vision is power; power is vision. Persuasion and agenda-setting: Those with social and economic power have a disproportionate influence on the direction of technological development. This influence operates through: The ability to set the agenda for research and development Control over resources and funding Shaping public perception and discourse around technology Historical examples: Ferdinand de Lesseps and the Suez Canal project The rise of big finance and its influence on economic policies Silicon Valley's vision of digital technologies and AI The authors emphasize that technological choices are not simply determined by scientific possibilities, but by the visions and interests of those in power. This underscores the importance of diverse voices and countervailing powers in shaping a more inclusive technological future.

The factory system spread rapidly in the second half of the eighteenth century across Britain. Even though they did not rush to install panopticons, many employers organized work in line with Bentham's general approach. Initial harm to workers: The early stages of industrialization in Britain led to: Longer working hours and harsher conditions for laborers Child labor in dangerous conditions, particularly in mines and factories Widespread pollution and public health crises in urban areas Gradual improvements: Over time, countervailing forces emerged: Labor movements and trade unions Political reforms expanding voting rights Public health initiatives and regulations The Industrial Revolution initially worsened conditions for many workers, but also set the stage for eventual improvements in living standards. This historical example illustrates the complex relationship between technological change and social progress.

Even more remarkable was the pattern of subsequent growth. Average real wages rose as fast and sometimes faster than productivity, recording an overall growth rate of almost 3 percent between 1949 and 1973. Factors contributing to shared gains: Strong labor unions and collective bargaining Government regulations and social safety nets Technologies that increased worker productivity across skill levels Global impact: This model of shared prosperity spread beyond the United States to…