@ainmosni Well, that's an easy one. First, the Guild system had to collapse, so the "productivity to take care of humans" part is no longer looked after.

Then the steam engine had to be developed enough, so that it is more wasteful to stop the engine than to produce a surplus. It takes an enormous amount of time and fuel to start a steam engine, while mills can be stopped at any time. So since the steam engine was used for the productivity, we started to produce first, and then tried to sell our products, which was enormously stupid when al the work was still craftsmanship by hand or driven with wind or water.

Our whole economy still runs on the ideas of the steam age, even if all power is electric or diesel these days, and can be started and stopped without penalty.