The Myth of Neutral Technology: Lessons from “Power and Progress”

Review of the Book Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson

Abstract

Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson explores how technology has shaped society throughout history and how its benefits have often gone to elites while ordinary workers have borne the costs. The authors argue that people should work with companies and politicians to ensure new technologies are developed and organised in ways that genuinely help people. The book shows that ordinary people have always contributed to innovation, not for status or money, but to make work more efficient and improve life.