Mass Production Effects on Contemporary Societies

1.Introduction

Today, mass production is employed in various industries, from production to the canning of foods to the video games industry. It is primarily distinguished by constantly manufactured standardized goods along a production line. As a result, mass manufacturing has helped most civilizations develop and is a component of other significant economic sectors like transit and retail. Companies worldwide know the many advantages that mass manufacturing provides for businesses and customers. Nevertheless, mass manufacturing has a lot of drawbacks that go beyond its applicability to contemporary civilizations. Therefore, it is critical to analyze the effects of mass production of goods and services on consumers in contemporary societies to determine the risk of loss and damage experienced on a mass scale which will help in pursuing a class action.

2.Connection between mass production and contemporary societies

In most economies' major industries, manufacturing generates a sizable amount of value annually. Moreover, the majority of individuals consume mass-produced products daily, whether it be in their clothing or their drinks[1]. As a result, mass production has numerous benefits and plays a significant role in contemporary society[2]. However, it is necessary to ascertain the connection between mass manufacturing and modern society. This is greatly seen in how the development of society—such as in modern society—significantly impacts production. influenced by the old industrial system, which has given way to the contemporary social capitalism of events and items that are not identical or comparable but aspire to be unique.

3.Benefits of Mass production in contemporary societies

Mass production provides advantages for all types of customers. For instance, when businesses adopt mass production methods, employees do not need to rush about looking for equipment or supplies, drastically reducing the amount of physical and human resources needed[3]. Mass manufacturing reduces costs as a result[4]. The product's price decreases as the quantity increases while increasing the product's quality and speed of production. Therefore, cost is significantly impacted by production volume.

Additionally, because standardized items are produced, mass manufacturing promotes convenience and effectiveness. This is demonstrated by enabling businesses to set uniform quality requirements as the technology will consistently produce the same good. Businesses may provide customers stable, dependable products by mass manufacturing things to the same specifications[5].They may become more enticing to customers as a result, as opposed to competing brands that might not have the capacity for mass manufacturing[6]. Moreover, businesses that mass manufacture their items can distribute and create huge numbers quickly, enabling them to offer goods on short notice and service more consumers. As such, these production units are capable of offering goods for less.

4.Risks and losses of mass production in contemporary societies

Consumers in modern cultures profit from the mass manufacturing of products and services. However, it also raises the likelihood of widespread loss, harm, and destruction. In factories that create things in large quantities, energy-intensive machinery is used. As a result, massive energy use and other related social issues have received international attention. Fossil fuels are common resources that are expected to be overused in some areas, and policymakers are enacting stringent laws out of concern for the viability of energy. For instance, legislation established in parliament requires owners of big commercial structures in Australia to publish energy efficiency statistics when placing properties up for sale or leasing[7]. One of the simplest and most affordable methods to cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions is energy conservation, and the commercial construction sector can provide some of the least expensive reductions[8]. Quite simply, manufacturing contributes to pollution^[9]. The hazards to individuals and the surroundings are now made obvious by scaling this pollution up to meet the demands of mass manufacturing^[10]. Therefore, the energy consumption resulting from mass production is an issue in contemporary society.

5.Class action against risks and losses of mass production

Australia must take part in international initiatives to lessen the effects of climate change, but there is debate on the most effective ways to do so. A common measure seen in affected people issuing for class actions[11]. In this specified case, the members were all scattered around in different geographies and their risks and injuries hard to measure warranting a class action. The claims were that the increased air pollution greatly affected the people’s breathing habits[12]. Their complaints were initially shut down where the companies involved either paid little to no attention or tried to bribe out the individuals separately depending on the magnitude of the claim before court. Currently, industrial pollution is still a problem. For instance, UNESCO claims that almost all manufacturing processes produce pollutants as by-products and that environmental degradation is rising globally. As a result, it may be very challenging for people to manage how much exposure they have to pollution, especially if they live close to industrial facilities that contribute to it, such as industrial facilities which are a major contributor to air pollution in Australia^[13]. Therefore, comprehensive, understandable, and actionable air quality regulations must be implemented regardless of where people live to safeguard everyone's health from source pollutants. Regrettably, Australia now lacks such regulations, unlike many other nations. Air pollution regulations in this nation are difficult to understand and frequently depend on average contaminants over long periods and atmospheric pollution levels^[14]. This method is usually inefficient at preserving people's quality of life, especially those who live close to severely polluting industrial operations. This is because it overlooks the immediate and concentrated effects of point source pollution.

Additionally, it has been noted that various individuals were more susceptible to risk and harm from the pollution experienced by the massive energy consumption needed to satisfy the mass production endeavours. As such, a single judicial forum was provided to litigate the various similar claims presented by the risks and dangers of mass production. From the members involved, a class representative will be brought forth against the malfeasance of the defendant[15]. Various pleadings will be incorporated by both the defendant and the plaintiffs for the Court to determine what issues are to be determined. This follows the requirements of pleeadings as per the fundamental rule found in UCPR 14.7[16]. A brief and limited scope of particulars, interrogatories and discovery of documents will also be needed to quantify the cause of action for relief claim. 

The class action before certification was required by the court to satisfy four prerequisites. Namely, they were numerosity, commonality, typicality and adequacy of representation. The members involved were from the same class (lower middle class) and were composed of a specific number (50). The joinder of people affected as per the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005(NSW) necessitated that the originating process needed to help locate the class members, the size and complexity of the individuals claims, the ability of the affected plaintiffs to commence a separate action and the types of claims and relief sought. This is in accordance with article 6.18 under the Joinder of causes of action[17]. Moreover, referring back to Phillip Morris Pty Limited v Nixon, it is clear that the categories required such as a principal applicant who in this case is the class representative, the class members and sufficient description of class members. Therefore, from the case, the application for the class action towards deteriorating health resulting from elevated pollution all met the requirements for article 33C (1)[18]. Additionally, the members’ claims involved common question of both law and fact. This was exhibited by the class representative demonstrating that there existed various questions of fact that were common to the members in regards to the trends of mass production and the effects of pollution brought about massive energy consumption. The plea and proof was presented with the requisite degree of specificity.

Specifically, the class members demonstrated that they have common claims and that the manner these claims arose was similar as well. This was in the line of alleged fraudulent behaviour of corporates in mass production[19]. Audited data was tweaked to fit the corporate’s intense energy consumption which elevated emission levels and consequently raised pollution levels. Additionally, mismanagement and a lack of a corporate social responsibility forum enhanced fraudulent behaviour[20]. This as a common point created a basis for the injuries experienced by the plaintiffs.

The claims of the class in questions also had the same interests and allege the same injury. This standard was satisfied by the class representative demonstrating sufficient connection between representative claims and those of the class members. The class representative demonstrated that they would fairly and adequately represent the interests of the class members, whether absent or present. Companies have taken the initiative in the interim, recognizing the dangers to their operations and frequently amid criticism from activist investor groups[21]. Given this context, it may not surprise that projections of an increase in climate change-related lawsuits in Australia are beginning to circulate.

6.Conclusion

It is critical to analyze the effects of mass production of goods and services on consumers in contemporary societies to determine the risk of loss and damage experienced on a mass scale which will help in pursuing a class action. In most economies' major industries, manufacturing generates a sizable amount of value annually. As a result, mass manufacturing has numerous benefits and plays a significant role in contemporary society. However, mass production also raises the likelihood of widespread loss, harm, and destruction. In factories that create things in large quantities, energy-intensive machinery is used, leading to high energy consumption and ultimately elevated emission levels, negatively affecting people's overall health and the surrounding environment. Consequently, a complaint has been taken; given the issues raised by members of a specified class and the case will go on as a class action. Therefore, the risks and losses faced due to mass production are evident in contemporary societies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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A.   Cases

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