Originally Posted by Paul Markham

The need for labour is easily solved because no one plans to revert to pre-industrial revolution strategies. A population living on the edge of poverty isn't as rich as one living in luxury.

Mechanising took over in the middle of the 18th century. Here's a description.


The only reason China and India are climbing so fast is a vast number of buyers outside China and India. So don't link people and production as one in the same place.

We've started another phase of the industrial revolution. Automation when computers and machines will do the jobs of millions. Then what will the people be needed for in such huge numbers? Will China and India stay producing products by today's methods, or will the West automate and reduce it's population to fit it's purse?