Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – The Other Side of the Coin
The Cost of Advancement
Since the commencement of the Industrial Revolution in the later half of the 18th century, an ever-increasing, almost exponential, rate of change has engulfed humanity. From its earliest stages, the benefits of the Industrial Revolution were questioned by some sections of society. The “Luddites” were examples of opposition to this progression. Few at the time questioned the effects on the environment however many questioned its effect on people. The writing of Charles Dickens gave voice to these concerns. The benefits the Industrial Revolution brought with it are many and quite possibly countless. They are countless, because they are many however they are also countless because, to some, an example of progression is to another an example of regression.
Trade unions arose out of the necessity for workers to band together for a common purpose, to achieve better pay and working conditions. Trade unions have helped create a middle class, which became broader the longer the Industrial Revolution progressed. This had the effect of increasing education amongst the working class. I believe there is a link, albeit tenuous, that the rise of trade unions (around 1820) and the Industrial Revolution played a part in the abolition of slavery in Britain (Slavery Abolition Act 1833). Trade unions were created as a direct result of the Corporations exploitation of workers. This is an early example of the employer’s (corporations) abrogation of their social responsibility to their employees. It is interesting to note that there is a direct correlation between the rise and fall of trade unionism and the rise and fall of real wages in the United States. Real wages rose steadily in the USA until 1974 when they peaked. Since then real wages have continued to fall. Union membership peaked at 21 million in 1979 and has since fallen to 14.8 million in 2010, a 30% decrease. Bear in mind that during this period the population of the USA increased from 225 million to 309 million, a 37% increase.
To draw this article to a conclusion and get back to the subject which is essentially the cost of progress it is fair to say that there have been great advances for human kind during the infancy of CSR however they have come at some costs to humans however at very great costs to the environment. Whilst humans have benefited greatly the environment has not been as fortunate. This is the subject for future articles in this series.