Which historical event was greatly responsible for global stratification as we see it today?
A) WWI
B) The Fall of the British Empire
C) The French Revolution
D) The Industrial Revolution
Answer: D) The Industrial Revolution
Answer Explanation:
Industrialization, which began at the end of the 18th century and continued into the 19th century, profoundly impacted global stratification and laid the groundwork for present-day socio-economic divisions.
As a result of the Industrial Revolution, rural and agrarian societies were replaced with industrialized urban areas. As a result of the rapid growth of mechanization, manufacturing, and technological advances during this period, production processes, transportation, and communication underwent a transformation.
Global stratification was largely influenced by the Industrial Revolution in several ways:
Inequality in the economy:
During the Industrial Revolution, wealthy industrialists owned factories and accumulated vast wealth, while working-class laborers struggled in harsh conditions and earned low wages. As a result of the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, global stratification remains characterized by significant economic inequality.
Colonialism and Imperialism:
A time of colonialism and imperialism coincided with the Industrial Revolution. With their technological and industrial advantages, industrialized nations expanded their empires and exploited colonies in search of cheap labor and resources. As a result, colonized nations were subjugated and exploited economically, further perpetuating global inequalities.
Capitalism and Global Trade:
As a result of the Industrial Revolution, global trade expanded and capitalism emerged as the dominant economic system, leading to the accumulation of wealth and power in industrialized nations. In this process, developing nations became dependent on exporting raw materials and agricultural products, whereas industrialized nations manufactured and controlled the global market, resulting in a global division of labor.
Consequently, disparities between nations and patterns of dependency and underdevelopment were entrenched.
Technology Advancements:
Industrialized nations established and maintained their dominance due to significant advances in technology, machinery, and infrastructure during the Industrial Revolution. The ability of a nation to access and control technology became one of its most important determinants of economic and military power.
As developing nations lacked industrial capacity, they were left behind and were disadvantaged in long-term development.
Migration and Urbanization:
A massive influx of people moved from rural areas to urban centers during the Industrial Revolution in search of jobs in factories and industries. Urbanization at a rapid pace resulted in overcrowded cities, poor infrastructure, and social problems. The influx of rural migrants deepened the social divide between the industrial elite and the urban poor by creating a working class that faced exploitation and marginalization.
Social Class Formation:
During the Industrial Revolution, distinct social classes emerged, with the bourgeoisie at the top and the proletariat at the bottom. It was characterised by unequal access to resources, education, healthcare, and social mobility. As industrialized societies evolved, this social stratification was a defining characteristic and still affects social dynamics and inequality today.
Environmental Impact:
As a result of the Industrial Revolution, resource extraction, pollution, and environmental degradation reached unprecedented levels. Air and water pollution, deforestation, and ecosystem degradation were a result of the use of fossil fuels and rapid expansion of industries.
A key consequence of the Industrial Revolution was the exacerbation of social and economic inequalities based on geography and access to natural resources.
In general, the Industrial Revolution paved the way for global stratification we see today. Economic inequalities were entrenched, colonial and imperial systems were established, industrialized nations dominated, and a global division of labor perpetuated disparities. Global distribution of wealth, power, and opportunities remains influenced by the Industrial Revolution to this day.
I am Bijisha, an enthusiast with a profound eagerness for learning. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration(BBA) from Apex College. I am constantly driven by a relentless curiosity and a genuine desire to expand my knowledge horizons.
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