Simon Steyne argues that modern democracy is rooted in the working-class militancy which was made possible by the Industrial Revolution, and that in replacing human labour, artificial intelligence (AI) could undermine democracy (Letters, 19 January).
Although such labour militancy was certainly important in this respect in Europe, it hardly accounts for the revolutions in the US in the 18th century, France in 1830 or the largely peasant‑based movements in countries such India. Neither does it explain the success of movements such as that of the Suffragettes.
