_____ is not the essential feature in the factory system.

The correct answer is - Free labour

Key Points

• Free labour is not an essential feature of the factory system.
  • The factory system is characterized by the use of paid labour rather than unpaid or free labour.
  • Historically, the factory system developed during the Industrial Revolution and involved the shift from handicraft and home-based production to machine-based and factory-based production.
  • Paid labour is crucial for maintaining regular and disciplined work schedules in a factory setting.

Additional Information

• Mass production
  • The factory system is designed for mass production, which involves producing large quantities of standardized products.
  • This method increases efficiency and reduces costs per unit.
• Fixed capital
  • Factories require significant fixed capital investment in machinery, buildings, and equipment.
  • This investment is essential for the mechanized production processes that define the factory system.
• Shop industry
  • While not a defining feature of the factory system, shop industries often operate on a smaller scale compared to large factories.
  • They may employ some elements of the factory system but typically do not achieve the same levels of mass production and capital investment.