The Asian Industrial Revolution

[Valin]

Via Meadia:

Walter Russell Mead

8/25/12

 

A new piece in the New York Times shines a spotlight on the complexities of Asia’s industrial revolution, which is far more complicated than many understand. The piece focuses on Bangladesh, where a recent uprising at a garment factory and the subsequent response by police is only the latest in a string of labor conflicts, which are becoming increasingly dire:

 

(Snip)

 

These events may seem shocking to western observers today, but they would be all-too familiar to western observers from past centuries. The actors in these revolts are the familiar ones from the early, textile fueled stage of industrialization first seen in the UK more than 200 years ago, which has since repeated since in many places around the world.

 

This situation is driven by the same complicated conditions that drove past industrial revolutions: a massive amount of surplus labor from a rising population needing to get off the farms, a low skilled work force and a paucity of jobs in the industrial sector.

 

But while these conditions are certainly bad, they do at least lead in a positive direction. As industrial development continues, so will the lives of the country’s workers improve as they become more skilled and as the country begins to attract higher-paying jobs to suit its increasingly skilled workforce. Meanwhile, these workers will gradually organize political groups (and, possibly, unions) able to push back against the abusive practices that are still common in Bangladeshi life.

 

(Snip)