Posted: 10/28/2017
Trigger
Recently saw a history documentary that mentioned the Factories Act of 1847. Wow, this early the British politicians opted for socialist measures? Was there more to it? Did this massive government intervention into private businesses even start earlier?
Motivation
Obviously, for over a 100 years Western countries have adopted many socialist concepts and poured them into one size fits all legislation for all citizens to suffer from to this day. But how early, where, and through which measures etc.?
Many are familiar with the German influence in the late 19th century on spreading socialism through politics and by academics. Keywords: Bismarck, Kathedersozialismus.
Probably, less well known is the significant influence of the British Empire on the implementation and spread of Socialism.
A Conspiracy Of Counter Revolutionaries & Well Meaning Humanitarians
For fear of violent or militant revolutions, British politicians, who wanted to remain in power and control, caved in to socialist measures and acquiesced.
As usual, influential, but naive humanitarians saw it opportune to impose socialist measures on the citizens. It is one thing to abolish slavery, but it is quite another thing to impose e.g. strict working hours on all adult males and females.
Unfortunately, thanks to this powerful long lasting conspiracy, many citizens of the Western world have been brainwashed by government run mandatory public education starting since at least the second half of the 19th century. How convenient!
The British Health And Morals Of Apprentices Act Of 1802
This is the earliest example that I so far could find on how socialism was introduced in Great Britain. Also known as the Factory Act of 1802. It was perhaps the earliest act to address child labor in the still nascent industrial age.
Like most government interventions against individual liberty, it started small and later grew bigger. This law focused only on apprentices in the cotton mill industry.
It was none other than famous Sir Robert Peel who promoted this act. Peel himself owned such a cotton mill. So how much was he interested in the well being of children versus trying to minimize competition to his business?
I conjecture that child labor was considered normal and very acceptable for thousands of years. Was child labor indeed so harmful, exploitative, and brutal as it is officially represented for over 200 years now? Or was it not also a very important education for children about how the world works and to come into contact with other adults and children?
Vicious Spiral Of Government Intervention
It has been reported that the early Factory Acts were not very effective. Guess what, a series of more restrictive laws followed with ever expanding coverage, mandating more inspections etc. Sounds familiar?
You know the rest of the story … (a reminiscence of the much cherished radio personality Paul Harvey)
Consequences Or The Tragic Betrayal Of The Enlightenment
Does it then surprise anyone that of all countries, the United Kingdom has a nationalised healthcare system (National Health Service) since 1946?
Does it surprise that the welfare state took off latest with the end of the World War II?
What would Adam Smith say today about this? Immanuel Kant and Voltaire are very sad for a long time!
Reader Beware
Unfortunately, I do not have the time to research this topic further and in more detail.
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