The use of the phrase ‘captain of industry’ was first popularized in Great Britain and thereafter in the United States. The popularization of the captain of industry was during the ‘Industrial Revolution’. At this time, there were great business leaders whose means of amassing personal wealth were genuine and contributed hugely to the wealth of Great Britain and the United States. Industrial Revolution made captains of industry rich and they in turn helped in making their countries rich by means of increasing productivity and making jobs available to the people as a way of giving back to their society. The means by which they contribute to society include boosting productivity, opening avenues for job opportunities, engaging in philanthropic activities, and expanding the world market. Ultimately, captains of industry are very productive. The term productive is measured by the amount and quality of products made per worker within a timeframe per day. Captains of industry spent time studying, analyzing, and coming out with creative ideas to solve problems and make wealth. They identify problems as opportunities and proffer solutions, and this makes them a ‘rallying point’.
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY RESCUE NATIONS
In this section, we shall be talking about how America’s economy was rescued from a rapidly collapsing state to super-greatness by its captains of industry. We shall use this study as a means to expound the importance of captains of industry in society. Again, we shall see how America rose from a rapid economy collapsing position to unstoppable heroism. After this section of the study, we will understand why no society can become great without captains of industry. Similarly, we would understand why societies without captains of industry are underdogs and will remain underdogs. A famous writer, Thomas Carlyle a Scottish philosopher coined the term captain of industry in his book (the past and present) written in 1843 concerning the impact of the industrial revolution of the 19th century on British society. Really, at the end of the Civil War, many people that knew America saw her (American) state as the falling experiment of democracy. Certainly, America was on the verge of becoming the story of a country collapsing from a war within itself. Suddenly, that is 50 years later America began to evolve into a major world power. From this evolvement, America became the most global influence and force. American historians credited this transitional landmark partly to a group of great business leaders and innovative young men known as Thomas Andrew, Henry Ford, Carnegie Cornelius, and J.P Morgan. No society hits the limelight of greatness without great business leaders. Well, the truth is that Africa (Nigeria) does not have captains of industry but robber barons. Robber barons are societal rapists or like a man who raped a woman in labor. Sorry to say, even the current most respected African businessman is ‘a robber baron’.
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY AND ROBBER BARON
The difference between captains of industry and robber barons is the use of influence or coercion to amass wealth. Captains of industry are respected and admired business leaders. This discussion centers around the industry, so business leaders of all sectors are included. Sometimes, we refer to sector managers of major corporations as captains of industry. What separates captains of industry from robber barons is that captains of industry have conscience and character, and use ideas to amass. They are kindhearted, helped people, and developed their society. While robber barons amass wealth through dubious and manipulative means. They do not contribute to the development of the people or the society. They make riches at the expense of the people by manipulating government policies against the people and society to amass indecent wealth. Robber barons are merciless. Captains of industry use
their wealth to influence the people and develop society. They make immense contributions to improve the lives of the people, to develop the country they live in, and to influence the world at large.