America without Automobiles
America without Automobiles
The society considers automobiles to be an essential part of life. The thought of not having a car to move from one point to another is unimaginable. The society assumes that automobiles have been there since time immemorial. It is an unbelievable thought to many of a world without vehicles. Currently, studies indicate that there are over one billion vehicles in the world. It is normal to own a car let alone hire one or rely on public transport. Everyone in society today strives to work hard and buy his or her own car. Owning a car is no longer a comfort for the wealthy, but a necessity to ease the daily life of man. This assignment seeks to remove automobiles from the face of the earth. If automobiles would never have been invented then life would have been difficult, and societies would be years behind in terms of growth and development.
No Automobiles in the Society: Impact
The history of automobiles dates back to the 1700 when engineers began to toy with the idea of a power driven vehicle. Engineers had already attempted to use steam, combustion and electricity to power automobiles, but their efforts had proven fruitless. Electric cars were the closes in term of reliability at the automobile industry. However, batteries to support and electrical driven car were not available. At the beginning of the 20thcentury, automobiles began to make their entry into the society. However, the society considered them a reserve for the rich. This was, however, for a short while as the majority of the population began to appreciate the automobiles. This was because automobiles gave travelers freedom of movement (Wilson, 2000). They could travel anywhere they wanted within a short time. Initially, middle and low class members of the society relied on horses driven caravans for movement.
The automobile established a level of mobility that society had never witnessed before. With increased mobility, opportunities for development and welfare increased. Limitation of movement such as using the horse drawn wagon limited movements as the horses could only move for 10-15 miles. Businessmen and farmers who lived more than 15 miles away from towns and cities were thus alienated from economic development and social growth (Kinsley, & Urry, 2009).Mr. Johnson is a businessman involved in movement of goods from their point of manufacture to the wholesaler and retailers. The business relies heavily on automobiles to ensure that his client receive the products on time. Specifically, Mr. Johnson uses transit Lorries and trucks to move products from one region to another. With many fleets of vehicles, he is certain that his client will be served on time. Mr. Johnson admits that vehicles are expensive but are a necessity for his personal and business life.
On a life without automobiles, Mr. Johnsons cannot imagine thriving in his transportation business without automobiles. Life would be more expensive, and his transportation business would not be as profitable. Mr. Johnson admits that the invention of automobiles was life changing for him and the society as a whole. Without automobiles, Mr. Johnsons would have to rely on ships and airplanes to move his cargo from point A to point B. Ships as means of transportation are slow for the transportation of commodities. There is also a risk that perishable products would rot before they reach their destination. Using air transportation, on the other hand, is too expensive for an ordinary business man. Other than ships and airplanes, the businessman would have to rely on animals drawn, and hand driven carts which are also unreliable.
Critics argue that the invention of automobiles increased environmental harm, economic pain and geopolitical insecurity. However, a world without automobiles impedes on freedom and prosperity. Movement from one point to another would be hampered as the alternatives of movement would be reduced. In America, for instance, a world without automobiles is unfathomable. America is the birth place of the automobile industry which began in large scale, in 1902. Manufacturers established various modifications to the automobiles to become what it is today. Currently, most of the US businesses consider the aspect of vehicle. Business has drive- in restaurants, drive-in car wash and drive-in churches. On the aspect of environmental conservation, it is unjust to blame environmental degradation on automobiles. In fact, the main problem is the oil used to power the car engines. An environmentally conscious car driving society can be established by determining alternative ways to power the car engines. Burning of gasoline contributes to environmental degradation, which promotes global warming (Kinsley, & Urry, 2009).
The automobile industry is quite innovative, and it is simply a matter of time before researchers discover reliable alternative methods to power car engines. Instead of not having cars, it is vital to think of creating an automobile industry that is environmental savvy.The absence of automobiles would results to limited movement form one point to another. Automobiles would allow people to move one city to another and foster social growth which enhances relationships. The absence of automobiles means that the options available for movement would either be too slow or too costly. Mode of transportation such as airplanes is not affordable to everyone. People will thus be secluded in their homes and the neighboring regions accessible through cheaper transportation methods.
A world without automobiles means that societies will witness slow economic growth (Wilson, 2000). Movement of goods and services through other means of transportation is not reliable. Farmers will, for instance, rely on animal driven modes of transportation or transportation channels such as rail or the sea. Movement of products and services to short distance will also be slow as the road transportation strategies are limited. The absence of automobiles will make life expensive for the ordinary citizen. Access to products and services would be difficult, and customers will have to use what the nearest shopping mall offers. The shopping malls may increase the price of commodities to exorbitant levels so as to cover for the expense of transporting the product. A world without automobiles would slow down individual and hamper development. Interference with individual development leads to interference of societal development.
The absence of automobiles would also mean that cities would not enjoy an elaborate infrastructure as it is today. Automobiles encourage movement hence the need to develop all regions within a society. Currently, societies are developed with elaborate road networks and communication structures. This would not have been a reality as towns and cities would be confined in their own geographical regions (Heitmann, 2009). On the other hand, a world without automobiles reduces environmental degradation. Vehicles powered by gasoline emit gases that contribute to population of the environment. If society had not vehicles, the environment would be cleaner. The high number of vehicles in the world significantly contributes to pollution and degradation of the environment.
Conclusion
A life without automobiles is unimaginable as the world today revolves around vehicles. Automobiles guarantee ease of movement from one point to another. Without automobiles, individual freedom and prosperity would be slowed. It would be impossible to move from one place to another with ease. Transportation of commodities from one are e.g. the point of manufacture to another area would be hampered. Alternative mode of transportation would be unreliable or too costly. Some of the transportation means such as ships and animal drawn transportation are too slow for a businessman. Other such as use of air transportation is too expensive and would thus be a reserve for a few members of society. Businesses would be slow as access to products and services for consumers would be a cumber some procedure. The customers, on the other hand, would not enjoy a variety of commodities to select from. Personal growth and prosperity is also affected due to lack of movement. Without the freedom of movement anytime and anywhere, citizens become confined within their localities. Automobiles are essential elements in society. The automobiles have contributed to economic and social prosperity in societies. Overall, if automobiles would never have been invented then life would have been difficult, and societies would be years behind in terms of growth and development.
Reference
Heitmann, J. (2009). The automobile and the American life. McFarland
Kinsley, D. & Urry, J. (2009). After the car. Polity publishers
Wilson, J. (2000). Cars and their enemies. Bedford, Boston; 58-64
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