They were not free before in any meaningful sense, because they lacked agency in every decision about their lives. Poverty trapped them in the same place, in th

They were not free before in any meaningful sense, because they lacked agency in every decision about their lives. Poverty trapped them in the same place, in the same occupation, for their entire lives. Despite what you see as the drawbacks of modern life, the people who have moved to the cities are far, far better off, and freer, than before.