The Complexity of Technological Advancement and Prosperity

Improvement in technology does not automatically equate to increased prosperity for the wider population. Historical analyses show that advancements, such as the introduction of watermills and windmills in medieval times, often benefited those in power while leaving laborers in dire conditions. Even dramatic productivity gains in situations like the cotton gin benefitted a select few rather than resulting in shared economic growth. This highlights the necessity of examining the socio-political dynamics that influence how technological gains are distributed.