What is a main characteristic of industrialism as an economic system?

The primary characteristic of industrialism as an economic system is the production of inexpensive manufactured goods. Industrialism represents a shift away from agrarian economies and includes the establishment of factories and mass production techniques. This allows for the efficient fabrication of a wide range of goods, resulting in lower costs and increased availability for consumers.

Under industrialism, labor is often organized in a way that allows for specialization and mechanization, leading to higher output and lower prices for manufactured items. This transformation not only drives economic growth but also influences social structures, urbanization, and the way people interact with their environment and each other.

The other options relate to different economic systems or aspects that are not characteristic of industrialism. Reliance on subsistence farming describes a pre-industrial or agrarian economy where families produce just enough for their own needs. Concentration on informal economies refers to economic activities that are not regulated by the government or formalized into the mainstream economy, which is not the primary focus of industrial practices. Exclusively small-scale farming indicates a mode of production that is more aligned with traditional agricultural societies rather than the large-scale, industrialized approaches typical of industrial economies.