By Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson. -
Power and Progress considers the relationship between technological advancements and shared prosperity for all. A theme throughout the book is the authors’ belief that the “productivity bandwagon”, an automatic link between technology and prosperity, does not exist. Technology does not have a pre-ordained direction and the degree of equality in prosperity results from choices made by those who implement advances, which offers both opportunity and threat.
The book discusses how the agricultural revolution and early industrial revolution delivered significant advances in productivity using automation to reduce labour costs and increase output. However, such advances brought disproportionate prosperity for the elite and increasingly displaced the working population. A fundamental change part way through the industrial age saw the large-scale adoption of transformational technologies, such as railways, electricity, and communications, which created new roles for workers displaced by automation. This increase in productivity diversified the labour market and was complemented by significant rebalancing of power between workers and employers through unionisation.
Later chapters describe how the digital revolution has presided over an exponential growth in innovation, but one which has again prioritised automation and the reduction of the human contribution to production. Technology has significantly improved many tasks and functions, but with far fewer fundamental changes to technology itself. This paradigm has resulted in productivity stagnation over time despite the seismic leaps in technological innovation. The rise of artificial intelligence offers further opportunity for automation beyond relatively simple algorithmic tasks and into statistical processing of large quantities of data. Furthermore, largely unregulated data collection and exploitation of online communication enables control of popular narratives and increased surveillance. This is not just true of authoritarian states, but equally within the liberal international order. However, the authors offer opportunity for better choices over how future technology and its direction can be more effectively aligned for broader prosperity and progress aligned to socio-political goals, not just economic gain.
Whilst normally an avid consumer of fiction, this foray into more academic content was interesting and accessible. The authors use a range of intertwined short case studies to reinforce the general theme, building upon existing knowledge and introducing completely new topics in equal measure. The underlying message is rooted in social science, but the potted history of technological breakthroughs maintains pace and is entertaining - from the spinning wheel, to factories, from the light bulb to social media. This is certainly a useful foundation read for anyone embarking on staff or supervisory training and offers a broader audience an insight into the relationship between technology and a range of socio-political issues.
Lieutenant Colonel Terry HarrisonPublished by Basic Books UK, 422 pages,ISBN 978 1399804455