Across the first three industrial revolutions, increasing equality of opportunity brought about by each subsequent industrial revolution’s reconfiguration of economic forces has been a major driver of social mobility, leading to more inclusive and dynamic economies and societies over the long term.
For more people to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and navigate the transition towards a more inclusive economy, the present state of social mobility is not economically or socially desirable, nor sustainable
The economic dynamics of digital platforms, big data and automation are increasingly promoting market concentration and ‘winner-takes-all’ markets.
The main beneficiaries of these changes have been owners of technology or intellectual or physical capital—innovators, investors and shareholders—which has contributed to the rising wealth and income gap between those who depend on their labour and those who own capital.8
Established in 1869 in Philadelphia the KOL was a secret society of tailors. Following Terence Powderly's rise to leadership in 1877 the organization went public, pursuing such goals as an 8-hour workday, abolishment of child labor, graduated income tax and fair wage. One of several organizations created to "look out for the workers." For students: what was the purpose of labor organizations? How did they differ from labor unions? How was the KOL organized? What power did the labor organizations have? How did they obtain power?