The Effects of Industrialization
In the field of work, the industrial revolution meant mass production where goods were produced in large quantities and production time was cut in half. This resulted, on the one hand, in the constant supply of goods at a lower cost; but, on the other hand, it also meant that there should be corresponding demand for the goods to warrant production. As a result, goods were made not to last long in order that there would be a constant demand for them. Quality, therefore, gave way to quantity, and we, the buying public, became a throw-away society since there was so much to be had at affordable prices anyway.
The industrial revolution also introduced the assembly-line type of production where work assignments were compartmentalized and specialization in specific phases of the job became the standard procedure to follow. This meant that no single worker worked on one item from start to finish. While it is true that the worker did become quite efficient in his job, he was nonetheless reduced to a mere cog in the wheel of industry and so a number found no fulfillment in their work which had become so mechanical.
Notwithstanding all of these, industrialization has spelled progress, at least materially. Industrialized nations boom with industries and infrastructure, such as tall buildings, paved roads, etc. to show as proof of their affluence.
In fact, nowadays, industrialization is equated with development. Most, if not all of the developed nations are industrialized countries whereas the developing Third World nations are still on their way to industrialization. Industrialization, therefore, means material progress but there is a price to be paid.