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Discussion Paper Details

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Title: Rage Against the Machines: Labor-Saving Technology and Unrest in Industrializing England

Author(s): Bruno Caprettini and Hans-Joachim Voth

Publication Date: January 2017

Keyword(s): agricultural technology, factor prices and technological change, Labor-saving technology, riots, social instability and welfare support

Programme Area(s): Development Economics, Economic History and Labour Economics

Abstract: Can new technology cause social instability and unrest? We examine the famous `Captain Swing' riots in 1830s England. Newly-collected data on threshing machine discusion shows that labor-saving technology was associated with more riots. We instrument technology adoption with the share of heavy soils in a parish: IV estimates show that threshing machines were an important cause of unrest. Where alternative employment opportunities softened the blow of new technology, there was less rioting. In areas affected by the Swing riots in 1830-32, technology adoption and patenting rates slowed down for decades thereafter.

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Bibliographic Reference

Caprettini, B and Voth, H. 2017. 'Rage Against the Machines: Labor-Saving Technology and Unrest in Industrializing England'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=11800