Aosaf

Industrial Revolution: its aftermath in engines, trades and labours.

-- by: Miahn Rasheeq Aosaf, my son.

This is a repeated discussed matter as what we achieved and will achieve from Industrial Revolution. Renaissance stirred to rebuild the world with thought and wisdom and Industrial Revolution pushed the world to the fields of works with reality. Former gave the basis and later gave structure. These siblings of thought though taken place in Europe encompassed the whole world to come under the umbrella and to contribute whatever the nations of the planet could. Japan being a far from the source volunteered and could show the world that the Japanese was no way behind. USA from the other end of the Atlantic never legged behind rather led the revolution as an instance for the nations of the world. Progress of the 20^th century is the ongoing result of the revolution. With the continuity Australia, South Korea, China, Canada and many other countries are now developed in every sphere of trades. Many countries are in the pipeline to reach the maximum height of development. This is the result of Renaissance and Industrial Revolution which is a never ending movement in the fields of discoveries and inventions. Primarily Petrarch in Italy in 14^th century came forward with the slogan to revive our thought to rebuild and it lasted up to 17^th century. Over the time it was not within any boundary, it revives Philosophy, Literature, Political Science, Physics, Arts, Sculptures and other branches of knowledge and education in Europe in particular and in the world in general. On the other hand Industrial Revolution primarily started in England proceeded from agriculture to industry and textile was its first area to change handmade system to Power Loom.  James Watt in mid-18^th century like Petrarch in 14^th century led the revolution inventing Steam Engine to supply power to the whole machineries. Coal was hugely available in England and it was the only source to produce steam. England developed communication system, particularly in rail communication with steam engine after textiles.  Now fields of knowledge are divided in enormous areas and steam engine of its primary shape becomes almost insignificant in production system. It is acknowledged that the development is the contribution of the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution.  

Maximum countries fell apart and remained indifferent to the wave of Industrial Revolution and thus became victim of colonization. Revolution lasted more than one hundred years and countries directly under its umbrella could breed lot of inventions and remodel all sectors of productions. They started trading in full swing which needed extended markets. They were in dire need of raw materials for their industries to keep productions uninterrupted as their own sources were not enough. So their colonizing design got a speedy momentum for demand and supply need. The then India lost its independence to The East India Company in 1757 and to The British Crown in 1858. Many countries in South America, Africa and Asia losing their independence became colonial states in this era. Colonization started in early 15^th century with Ceuta in 1415 by Portuguese and ended in 20^th century. Youth of the colonization was in the 18^th and 19^th centuries when colonizers were equipped with modern engines for products to enrich their economy and arms and ammunitions which made thempowerful to invade anyplace as they desired. Colonized world could not avail their potentials

with the wave of Industrial Revolution. Intellects were in the womb and could not flourish though the Renaissance waggled the entire world with the slogan to revive and rebuild. These countries never had lack of intellects and resources rather had more than others but were not fostered which led their fall in the wheel of colonization. They lost their resources and became markets of foreign products.

2^nd Phase of Industrial Revolution which may be termed as Revolution of Scientific Inventions with steel and chemicals was led by US and Germany. Energy from steam engine for machineries was not ruled out but was reduced and shifted to other sources due to its low efficiency and high storage space. J.J.E Lenoir developed the first marketable two stroke internal combustion engine ran on coal-gas in 1860s. A more advanced four stroke internal combustion engine was introduced by Nicolaus A. Otto in 1867.  US Scientist William Hart discovered natural gas well to drag in 1821 and George Bissell and Edwin L. Drake discovered oil using rig in drilling in 1859. These discoveries led US to invent and introduce modern machineries and they added a new dimension to the Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile British Scientist Michael Faraday invented electric generator in 1831 to produce electrical energy. So Industrial Revolution directed the scientists to a competition of different scientific inventions paving the energy source easy, smooth and friendly. Modern buses, trucks, trains and steamers were introduced in communication sectors. Industries took place near and around the capital cities. Population density became high and higher in cities and towns. People left the rural area to search for jobs. First phase of Industrial Revolution created employment for huge number of workers who moved and were taken from rural area and from the colonies. Workers from the colonies used to do hard labour either on their will or on force. Exploitation started breaking all norms and ethos and labourers were force to work as the owners wished them to do. This environment was worsened in the second phase as children and women were employed and abused. A huge number of industries spread in Europe, US and Japan. New sectors of productions with steel and chemicals were invented. New military weapons were invented which left the developed countries in a race of military power. Massive development took place in health and medicine sectors. Education got an especial thrust resulted in breeding of large number of scientists. Agriculture was taken back in prime consideration to introduce new machineries to increase crops. Colonized world was taken for agriculture in maximum to meet administrators’ need. Maximization of capital in any way entered in the minds and souls of the entrepreneurs. They never thought of healthy atmosphere of production. Labourers were not given proper treatment in spite of the huge development in health and medicine. French Revolution started in 1789 and lasted for ten years which woke the world about the right of the Proletariat and democracy. Abraham Lincoln declared new concept of democracy in his famous Gettysburg Address in 1863, though it was in infancy in mid-19^th century. Karl Marx’s Das Kapital was published in 1867 and Abraham Lincoln died in 1865. In this interlude negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution attracted many nations to the call of Karl Marx and turned them to Socialism. These are the direct or indirect impetus of Industrial Revolution which changed our social orders but ongoing competition of inventions and development never came to an end. Many other revolutions took places in numerous areas in the world. Intra countries and inter countries wars were waged because of thepower struggle among nations. Conceptual tag of wars always prevailed but these hurdles

could not stop the gradual expansions and dimensions of the revolution. Developed countries waged the most devastating 1^st and 2^nd World Wars and were marred intensely but could stand again from of the demolition with more strength. This was possible because of their proficiency, effort and devotion gathered from the revolution.  

We are now passing through the 3^rd Phase of Industrial Revolution and waiting for the 4^th which is unpredictable and only presumable. Ongoing surge can be termed as Cyber Age moving through internet, robotics, artificial intelligence, digitalization of manufacturing and communication technologies. Countries were liberated from colonization in this era. Many countries from the colonies could develop to the height of developed countries or more than those. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea etc. are the burning examples. Working places are now healthier and friendlier. Karl Marx’s influence on the working class spread and made them united in many countries. In persuasion of the demand of working class UK Parliament passed the Trade Union Act in 1971 and workers got a legal platform to bargain with the Owners’ Associations for their right and welfare. Matthew Maguire, a machinist, an American, first proposed to celebrate a holiday in 1882 to honour the working class. In 1904 in Amsterdam the International Socialist Congress in its Sixth Congress of the Second International declared May 1 as the Labour Day to commemorate the Chicago victims for eight hour-worked day in 1886 by all trade unions in the world. Now the labourers get extra wage if they work more than eight hours. Earned leave, maternity leave, casual leave and medical leave have been introduced and minimum wage per hour and healthy living quarters are now almost everywhere. Free treatment, day care, medicines and hospitals have been established in the large scale production sites. Labourers’ participation in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and bonuses for profit, production and festivals have been ensured. Favourable acts and rules have been enacted in almost every country. Labourers are not considered as dispersed part of enterprises rather inclusive in whole ownership management. May Day/Labour Day (May 1) is observed nationally and demonstratively everywhere in the world. Regular election in the Trade Unions are held and new leaderships are coming out every term. Special court for labour has been framed to uphold labour right. It has got an especial value to the socialist countries like China, North Korea, Cuba etc. and countries which were previously in socialist block. 

Contrary to the spirit of the 3^rd phase is the induction of computerization which is also an essential part of machinery system of the present era. Illiterate and unskilled work force are encountering unemployment day by day. Their necessity in the modern computerized system is becoming narrow day by day. Robotics and artificial intelligence though in infancy become an antagonized force and entrepreneurs are moving towards it for flawless production, minimization of production cost and maximization of profit. US, Europe and Japan are shifting their factories in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia aiming the same target. Everyone is after profit ignoring their local issues and employment. This essence of the day is letting other countries to be arising economic powers in the world and skilled and literate labourers of the parent countries at stake. These rising economic powers are also developing their own strength of production lines taking consideration that the foreigners may not continue for long. It is not almost possible to say who are leading the 3^rd phase of the revolution. Leadership is scattered as sectors of productions are not in control of few hands. Enrichment on natural resources centres in Middle East, on industrial productions in Far East and on overall economy in West Europe and North America. India is considered to be leading in production of soft wares. Our country is leading Ready Made Garments (RMG) after China. As military technologies had not been shifted, post-World War 2^nd military powers remain their monopolies till now. The core strength of this Cyber Age is merit which can be owned by any under developed or least developed country at any time and be in the race with the developed world. In many times it has been published by the news agencies about cyber-attacks and counter-attacks among unequal powers. Machineries inventions are also related with computerization. Developed countries are now looking for unending available energy instead of coal, natural gas and oil. It is acknowledged that natural energies will come to an end or be commercially unexplorable one day. On the contrary energy from the sun, wind and bio-stuff cannot afford the need of the day. So they are now trying to make those more powerful and to have renewable powerful energy. They have also started collecting energy from nuclear sources. So development in machinery system is running considering updated concept of energy. Development of science and technology is an unending phenomenon of which no span can be confirmed as the peak as it is always updating.  

Very soon the globe will pass through 4^th Phase of Industrial Revolution. Future is always uncertain and we cannot say anything distinctively about the shape and depth of the phase. Ongoing revolution suggests that Robotics and Artificial Intelligence will be the driving force for productions and trades. They may appear with such dominance that human labour may be obsolete or almost insignificant. Developed countries and countries which are the supply lines for the world after shifting of industries will come across very minimum crises as they have achieved maximum financial fuel for the race. It is already in popular debate in the developed world as why and how they will bring their industries back to their own countries. Supply lines countries have also started producing and marketing their own products maintaining high standard of quality and affordable cost which are the strength to exist in the competitive age. So robotics and artificial intelligence are in their active consideration to introduce in all spheres of productions and so changes in machineries system is imminent in consideration of the developed countries to bring their enterprises back. Primary establishment cost will be very high but subsequent production cost will be very low and quality will be very high. Supply lines countries are also ready with their own technologies and goods for the revolution. It is appositely predictable that developed countries along with the supply lines countries will lead the phase. They will provide their man power in the linkage industries as they are skilled and literate. Updated humanoid robots will be invented which will replace the present mechanized robots. Gradual improvement of artificial intelligence may add a special dimension to science and technologies. It is acknowledged that revolution victimizes others when leadership is centred to a group. We have seen in the 1^st and 2^nd phase of the Industrial Revolution where leadership was done by England and US with Germany respectively. So it is obvious that the remaining world may experience worse if they cannot make them competent for the wave. 

Area of work may be extended to cosmos, under seas and under earth. Continental shape of oceans and the cosmos do not have geo-boundary like area of a country. Research and efforts have already been started to bring unexplored fields under control by the developed countries. Survivability of human life in the Mars is in active research now. Hundreds of satellites sent by many countries are moving with successful missions in their orbits. International Space Station has been launched in 1998 and is expected to work till 2030. Space shuttles are regularly sent to the station for different purposes. Satellites are now destroyable from ground by missiles of special type and applying special technology. All of these machineries might be updated with the demand of forthcoming 4^th phase of revolution and it may create mass unemployment in the remaining countries. The developed and supply lines countries will have minimum pressure of unemployment as there will be many linkage industries where human labour will be needed. Remaining countries should have preparation to meet the crises well ahead. Our RMG sectors have employed huge number of man-power. Ours is a country with favourable weather and vast fertile plain land ideal for agriculture. Maximum part of our population depend on agriculture. RMG may be undisturbed by the forth revolution as it has localized in our country on our perfection and on demand of the two groups of countries. It had not been shifted by others rather they will always need these human run factories to be in operation as introduction of robots and artificial intelligence might not be cost effective because of its diverse minor fields and nature of the trade. Now we are to think of more advance technologies also to introduce in RMG to meet the thrust of the probable changes. This may create marginal unemployment problem which can be addressed if a holistic programme is taken with counsels from experts. Our agriculture should be made technologically advanced and friendly so that any unexpected unemployed population can easily be absorbed. Education of science and technology should be emphasized so that we can also pace with the coming scientific race and our whole production system should be mechanized with sustainable technologies to meet the global qualitative standard. Our man-power should be made educated and skilled so that their demand never falls internationally and can be employed in our domestic fields. Every country of the planet should think of their possible potentials and areas of available unused or less used opportunities. Science will proceed but it shall be proceeded by human being. Now question is whether man should be ahead of science or science will be ahead of man especially in the age of artificial intelligence. Naturally man shall preserve the right as everything is for human being but preparation and awareness should be given priority. So we should not be afraid of upcoming artificial intelligence rather we should prepare ourselves to dominate the scientific advancement to utilize for our welfare.  

 Note : Writer is my son. He is a Lecturer Of MIST, Bangladesh University of Professionals. Please see the edited form published in the Daily Sun.