Toynbee was born in London, England, United Kingdom in 1852, the son of the physician Joseph Toynbee, a pioneering otolaryngologist.
Arnold Toynbee was the uncle, via his brother Harry Valpy Toynbee, of universal historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee (1889–1975); with whom he is often confused.
Bachelor of Arts University Oxford
Coined the phrase ‘industrial revolution’ and introduced the concept of a single, decisive transformation of the British economy in the third quarter the eighteenth century. He turned to economics because of its relevance to social reform, and rejected the deductive in favour of the historical method. He argued that economic policies were appropriate or not, according to historical circumstances, and therefore rejected laissez faire in favour of a kind of municipal socialism for his own time.
He is remembered for his inspiring teaching which influenced many Oxford contemporaries to accept a socially-committed version of economics. Lector, Tuturial Fellow, Balliol College Oxford, 1878-1883.
Arnold Toynbee is widely accepted as the historian who ushered the expression 'the industrial revolution' into the English language. According to Toynbee, "the essence of the Industrial Revolution" was "the substitution of competition for the medieval regulations which had previously controlled the production and distribution of wealth." Among its components were an "agrarian revolution" that produced "the alienation between farmer and labourer" and in the manufacturing world, the appearance of a "new class of great capitalist employers." "The old relations between masters and men disappeared, and a 'cash nexus' was substituted for the human tie." Summing up his interpretation, Toynbee wrote, "the Wealth of Nations and the steam-engine...destroyed the old world and built a new one." For Toynbee, this coupling seemed self-evident. Steam-powered factories, the Wealth of Nations, competition, the cash-nexus and the rise of pauperism formed part of a single phenomenon.
In response to this bleak scenario, Toynbee proposed a test for when the state should become involved in the regulation of an economic or social sphere of society to even the balance between industry and labor. He proposed the "Radical Creed," which, "as I understand it, is this: We have not abandoned our old belief in liberty, justice, and Self-help, but we say that under certain conditions the people cannot help themselves, and that then they should be helped by the State representing directly the whole people. In giving this State help, we make three conditions: first, the matter must be one of primary social importance; next, it must be proved to be practicable; thirdly, the State interference must not diminish self-reliance. Even if the chance should arise of removing a great social evil, nothing must be done to weaken those habits of individual self-reliance and voluntary association which have built up the greatness of the English people.
(Lang:- English, Pages 329. Reprinted in 2015 with the hel...)
For Toynbee, early industrial capitalism and the situation of the working class in it was not just a subject of ivory-tower studies; he was actively involved in improving the living conditions of the proletariat. He read for workers in large industrial centres and encouraged the creation of trade unions and co-operatives. A focal point of his commitment was the slum of Whitechapel, in east London, where he helped to establish public libraries for the working class population. Toynbee also encouraged his students to offer free courses for working class audiences in their own neighbourhoods.
