In The Worldly Goods of Man, Leo Huberman summarized some of what he believed were many of the key points that led to the transition from capitalism to socialism in Europe. The main reasons for the revolution according to Huberman are the disadvantageous position of the lower classes, the class divisions and struggles between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie and the inevitable failures of capitalism. A key development towards a socialist revolution, according to Huberman, was the industrial revolution. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, those who were once farmers now worked in factories in miserable conditions and for very low pay. Their work was often extremely dangerous and the hours were long, and to make matters worse, they were often penalized for minor “infractions,” such as keeping a nearby window open (185-186). To put things in perspective, Huberman cited part of an interview with a worker named Thomas Heath who thanked God that his children died because of the financial burden on him and also because he knew they would no longer have to suffer living a life like his (185). This was the state of the working class, while the bourgeoisie lived a life of luxury. This class division, therefore, should lead to inevitable class struggle and thus reform. The final “nail in the coffin” for capitalism was the problem of crises due to conflicting forces. Hobson and Hayek have offered divergent explanations for why profits rise, and neither is particularly wrong. Hayek argued that if wages fell, profits and future investment would increase, while Hobson argued that rising wages would increase the purchasing power of consumers, leading to increased profits for businesses (278-279). Karl Marx saw it as a…paper medium…that sought to eliminate social classes, corporate exploitation, and poverty. For those who have suffered under such conditions, hearing about a new system that would theoretically solve their greatest woes would be very appealing. This also applies to any proposal: if you promise utopia to a disadvantaged person, they will listen, and if enough people listen, reform will happen. I believe that Huberman was not only trying to explain the history behind these movements, but that he was also trying to make clear this common element of economic reform. Works Cited Heilbroner, Robert L. The Worldly Philosophers. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books, 1983. Print.Huberman, Leo. Man's earthly goods. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1968. Print.Trotsky, Leon. The transition program for the socialist revolution. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1983. Print.