In "The Proud Tower," Barbara W. Tuchman discusses the societal and political landscape leading up to World War I, highlighting the need for change in worker conditions. The quote emphasizes the author's perspective that implementing temporary reforms is essential to empower workers and improve their future prospects. This reflects a broader understanding of the need for progressive changes in labor rights during a time of significant social upheaval.

Tuchman's work illustrates the connection between social reforms and their impact on workers' lives, advocating for measures that would position workers more favorably in society. By focusing on interim reforms, she suggests that tangible improvements can create a foundation for a more equitable future, ultimately shaping the destiny of the working class in a pre-war environment rife with conflict and tension.