Human society has evolved through various stages, depending upon the way it evolved mechanisms to adapt to changing material needs.
With respect to the changing nature of work and economy three broad stage of economy are as follows: Agriculture Revolution : From hunting-gathering and then pastoral phases, human society entered into a new stage with discovery of agriculture. With development of agriculture, food production increased. Complex division of labour, advanced trade and permanent settlement are the result of economy expansion through agricultural technology.
Industrial Revolution : Industrial revolution which happened around the middle of the 18th century, first in England transformed social and economic life like never before. It brought four notable economic changes.
1. New forms of energy : With the pioneering invention of the steam engine in 1765 by James Watt, the use of animal and human muscle energy was significantly reduced.
2. Centralisation of work in factories : Use of machinery gave rise to a new workplace called factory.
3. Mass production : Industrial economy developed the manufacturing sector very fast and produced goods on a large scale.
4. Division of labour : The factory system reduced the importance of human skills and resulted to specialised division of labour.
5. Industrialization transformed the whole society and also created huge economic gaps in the society.
The Information Revolution : By the middle of the 20th century the nature of production started to change. The use of automated machinery drastically reduced the role of human labour in manufacturing. Three key changes were seen due to the development of computer and information technology.
1. Tangible products to idea : The tertiary or service sector providing services and dealing with production of ideas and symbols is expanding very fast.
2. Mechanical skills to literacy skills : The information revolution demands a new set of skills such as literacy skills – the ability to communicate, to write, to present and use computer technology.
3. Work from anywhere : Computer technology is allowing for decentralisation of work.
