(September 16, 2009) This is one of two Global Research articles exploring the reasons for the introduction of electronic ID cards, worldwide. Already, over 2.2 billion people, or 33% of the world’s population, have been issued with 'smart' ID cards.

By 2012, the figure will be over 85%.

These are incredibly powerful systems and their implementation represents a profound social change, yet the public explanations for this project do not seem to add up. Surprisingly, there seems to have been little debate or exploration of the real reasons. To find the answer, we need to dig for ourselves.

The companion article, ID Cards - a World View, tried to assess this from the political and technological contexts of current ID schemes. This article sets out to find what we can learn from historical precedents.

Does history tell us anything about the main purpose of ID schemes? History shows strong recurring themes.

Surprisingly, again and again, the main function has been controlling labour and the workforce, to serve the objective of creating a command economy.