Kerala's resistance to automation through "nokku kooli" led to negative economic consequences.

The article examines Kerala, India, as a cautionary example of how resisting automation through practices like "nokku kooli," which required businesses to pay workers for using machinery, can lead to negative economic consequences. Initially intended to protect jobs from mechanization, this practice became extortionary, deterring investment and causing labor shortages. It underscores the importance of balancing worker support with economic growth amid automation, advocating for retraining and income replacement.

October 15, 2024
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