The Fluctuation of Industry: Prosperity and Crisis

One of the main ideas discussed in this podcast episode is the fluctuation of industry between periods of prosperity and crises. Big industry, fueled by the Industrial Revolution, brought about the means of expanding industrial production and cutting costs. However, this also resulted in free competition and overproduction of goods. As a consequence, commercial crises occurred, leading to factory closures, bankruptcies, and worker hardships. The episode highlights how the development of industry has constantly fluctuated between cycles of prosperity and crisis with significant consequences for workers.