Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Sept 17, 2018 3:30:06 GMT
Despite first occurring a few centuries ago, the Industrial Revolution has transformed society ever since. The factory system, machine-based labor, and consumeristic capitalism all arose in those exciting decades of human history, and consequently, paved the way for those modern-day advancements that we all know, love and hate in 2018. Because it all started in Great Britain, the country--at least for a time--came to be known as the Workshop of the World.
But could all of this game-changing innovation have happened somewhere and somewhen else? Was there any other time and/or place that could've had its own Industrial Revolution equivalent?
If so, under what circumstances would it occur, how could it stack up compared to OTL version, and what might science, technology, and society in general be like from that point forwards?
Thank you in advance,
Zyobot
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 17, 2018 8:38:35 GMT
Despite first occurring a few centuries ago, the Industrial Revolution has transformed society ever since. The factory system, machine-based labor, and consumeristic capitalism all arose in those exciting decades of human history, and consequently, paved the way for those modern-day advancements that we all know, love and hate in 2018. Because it all started in Great Britain, the country--at least for a time--came to be known as the Workshop of the World. But could all of this game-changing innovation have happened somewhere and somewhen else? Was there any other time and/or place that could've had its own Industrial Revolution equivalent? If so, under what circumstances would it occur, how could it stack up compared to OTL version, and what might science, technology, and society in general be like from that point forwards? Thank you in advance, Zyobot
Well there were signs in China in about the 11th C IIRC where it looked like an industrial/commercial revolution looked like developing but the government stepped in to stamp it out because it was seen as too disstablising to society and too much of a threat to the traditional power structure and bureaucracy.
Or another option might be the classical Med if Rome or another great power hadn't dominated the entire region. There was a good degree of rivalry between the assorted successor states of Alexander and also other kingdoms and realms, including Carthage for instance.
Possibly also India at some dates, although in the past couple of millennia at least it has been plagued by repetitive invasions from the NW. Also there are arguments that the Hindu religion may be a barrier.
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Sept 17, 2018 13:53:15 GMT
stevepThank you for the suggestions. But why would the Hindu religion be a particular problem in India's case, though?
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 17, 2018 14:47:35 GMT
stevep Thank you for the suggestions. But why would the Hindu religion be a particular problem in India's case, though?
I think because of the caste system, which meant it would be difficult for a man of talent or skill to become say a trader/merchant or an inventor, or gain much influence with local leaders, unless they were already in the relevant caste, in which case they might be fairly complacent. Also since this leave the bulk of the population as peasants with little wealth [or even worse as an untouchable] and the idea of rebirth based on your previous life it means there's religious/cultural opposition to the idea of people bettering their material condition in this life. That's the sort of suggestion I've read anyway.
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Sept 18, 2018 14:36:42 GMT
Is there any possibility of multiple, concurrent Industrial Revolutions happening in different parts of the globe? For instance, could Asia have its own at about the same time as Great Britain?
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 18, 2018 20:09:53 GMT
Is there any possibility of multiple, concurrent Industrial Revolutions happening in different parts of the globe? For instance, could Asia have its own at about the same time as Great Britain?
Its possible but the alternative sources would have to be ready for take-off so to speak at just the right time as by this point pretty much a united world in terms of connections. Then you might get one or more alternative locations who play catch up very quickly and possibly also produce ideas and techniques themselves that W Europe picks up on.
OTL as well as parts of France and modern Belgium quickly seeking to catch up with Britain, and later other parts of the 'western' world but many other areas tried as well. Powerful and populous states such as the Ottoman empire, Egypt under Muhammad Ali, several of the Indian states in the 18th and 19th centuries and a few others. Most however failed because they had serious cultural problems, generally being centralised autocracies which meant that they had problems really pushing broad developments of education and technology.
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