@3967703f  People can be replaced with machines but then you have to dispose of all the surplus, non-productive people. In the 19th century, colonisation was the answer. Many of the convicts Britain sent to its colonies were farm workers made redundant by mechanisation, who'd  resorted to petty crime to support themselves. Other unwanted people like the rebellious Scots and Irish were given subsidised passage to the colonies.

Not so easy to do now, though witholding welfare and health care can raise the death rate, as can inhuman working conditions like requiring people to work outside in the hot sun with no water breaks. These kinds of policies see human life as disposable. 

 @0177da18 @3967703f I always figured that must be what war is really for- build up too much surplus population, pick a fight with someone, draft that surplus & get them killed off. Problem solved.

*bonus points if you can go in together on the war with another country with the same problem- a friendly country to get unfriendly with 

 @77bbb2c3 @3967703f  It's  certainly easier to recruit fighters from people experiencing economic stress. And it is treating people as disposable.