[AussieWog93]

>It's been shown time and time again that automation increases economic activity and jobs in an economy.

Even if it spurs economic activity overall, it doesn't mean the gains of that activity are fairly distributed. Many towns were completely ruined by the decline in manufacturing jobs, even if others propspered.

[jcranberry]

Define "fairly". Mill towns were developed around manufacturing facilities. If you wanted to work in manufacturing, you had to follow a facility.

There's also something to be learned from the past. Manufacturing destroyed the goods-producing artisan/mechanic/craftsmen industry.

[simonh]

That is true, fairness in society is an issue.

Here in the UK we went through a painful economic decline in the 70s and restructuring in the early 80s. Things were pretty rough for a while, but then we went through an economic boom in the late 80s as productive forces were unleashed.

I'm basically a capitalist because I believe capitalism is based on essential economic freedoms to own property, freely associate and buy and sell one's labour. But I also believe that there is a role for effective social services, public health care and a social safety net. You need a health economy to pay for it though, and that's the balance that needs to be struck.