Impact of 19th century capitalism on insurrection/revolution
(with a Marxian flavor)
Comment
A look back reveals that we have been speaking of conflict between social systems, rather than within social systems. With the explosive expansion of capitalism in the 19th century we begin to see the rise of much turmoil and attendant conflict due to opposing tendencies contained within capitalism itself.
Trend
Without going into explicit detail we find (according to many investigators, including Karl Marx): that the interaction of competition, technology, specialization (division of labor), concentration of production in large scale enterprises, and the taking and plowing back of profits into this interaction produce opposing tendencies and periodic crises that leave in their wake more and more workers competing for jobs in fewer, but larger, firms that increasingly emphasize (percentage-wise) the use of more machines and less labor.
Result
Low paid wage earners exhibit discontent and hatred for a system that permits others to live in comfort or luxury while they must live a life of toil, subject to strict and frequently harsh factory discipline.
Witnessing these unfolding circumstances disillusioned intellectuals, bankrupt owners, and others take the side of the workers, as an enlightened vanguard, to mold them into a powerful opposition.
Raises question
How should such an unpleasant situation be corrected?