Industrial civilization refers to the state of civilization following the Industrial Revolution, characterised by widespread use of powered machines.[1] The transition of an individual region from pre-industrial society into an industrial society is referred to as the process of industrialisation, which may occur in different regions of the world at different times. Individual regions may specialise further as the civilisation continues to advance, resulting in some regions transitioning to a service economy,[2] or information society, or post-industrial society (these are still dependent on industry, but allow individuals to move out of manufacturing jobs). The present era is sometimes referred to as the Information Age . De-industrialization of a region may occur for a range of reasons.[3]
Industrial civilization has allowed a significant growth both in world population, thanks to mechanised agriculture and advances in modern medicine, and in the standard of living.
Such a civilization is mostly dependent on fossil fuel, with efforts underway to find alternatives for energy production. Some areas have exhibited de-industrialization as certain industries go into decline,[4] or are superseded.
- ^ "WORLD CIVILIZATIONS AND HISTORY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – Industrial Civilization - Robert Holton" (PDF).
- ^ "service economy" (PDF).
- ^ "economic issues - deindustrialization (IMF)".
- ^ Lazonick, William (1981). "industrial decline". The Journal of Economic History. 41: 31–38. doi:10.1017/S0022050700042716. S2CID 154585521.