The Luddites weren’t anti-technology—they opposed machines that destroyed their livelihoods and benefited factory owners at workers’ expense. Their resistance was a critique of the social and economic chaos caused by the Industrial Revolution. Over time, “Luddite” became an insult due to capitalist propaganda, dismissing their valid concerns about inequality and exploitation. Seen in context, they were early critics of unchecked capitalism and harmful technological change—issues still relevant today.
Sorry but fly on the wall. The link you posted I have read through and appears to actually discredit your assertion.
Genuinely would love to hear more if you have the expertise/time? I’m not that great with economics and I don’t have a jstor account sadly but I have always understood that industrialization served to depress wages and so was surprised by PugJesus’ counterclaim.
How does it discredit my assertion when it clearly expresses an upward trend in real wages in both the early and middle Industrial Revolution in England?