Before this time wind and water mills had been used, but mostly human and animal labor was utilized. The steam engine helped the new form of production become the most efficient the world hand ever seen. It also brought greater surplus and social inequality. Those privileged few who were able to use the technology became very wealthy. The majority, in contrast, were thrown off the land as feudal society became obsolete. People moved to the cities an had the choice of stealing, starving or working for low wages. From the beginnings of this revolution into the next many changes took place. Workers attained better working conditions and wages. Evidence of greater equality was widespread ownership of cars and homes, access to education and libraries, greater food variety, and longer life spans for the average person. From a broader perspective, equality indicators were the abolition of slavery, and representative or democratic political systems replacing monarchies and dictatorships. Women and minorities also received greater rights.
The fourth social revolution is moving us away from production and manufacturing toward service-oriented industries. This emerging society, based on information services and evolving technology instead of raw materials and manufacturing, has been named post industrial society.
The major element of post industrial society is information. The United States has led the way in this ongoing revolution. During the industrial revolution workers mainly manually labored to produce goods, whereas in the current revolution workers provide services. Social analysts have credited the invention of the microchip as the core of this information exchanging revolution that is transforming our society by leaps and bounds. Because of this tiny device, we can communicate across great distances in a matter of seconds, our shopping habits are changing and many believe that our lives will be completely transformed.
