ZBC#102 [When we go different directions?] The Great Divergence/大分岐
Today, I’ll introduce the The Great Divergence from Zenport Book Club#102 on June 9th 2018.
Why did sustained economic growth begin in western Europe, especially in United Kingdom?
In order to solve this classic question of world history, a lot of historian have proposed their theories. However, most of these theories were based on Eurocentrism.
On the other hand, Kenneth Pomeranz, the Professor of History at University of Chicago, proposed the different kind of answer.
At first, he denied the Eurocentrism. He said there were surprising similarities between western Europe and East Asia, like China and Japan. However, the two key factors gave only western Europe sustained industrial growth.
What’s that? then Why only Europe could you get those?
Let us start the journey of global history.
Summary
- Until the middle of 18th century, there were similarities between Western Europe and East Asia, like life expectancy, consumption and market sizes. When we discuss the global history, we often make opinion based on Eurocentrism, but these kind of theories were lack of basis.
- Even though the surprisingly similarities, the reasons why only Europe, could grow up the industry were coal and trading with new continent.
- At first, because of richness of coal, they didn’t need to sacrifice land resources for energy consumption. Also, trading with new continent gave more resources to them, like food, natural resources, and labor. These two factors prevented them to waste their land and labor, and let them use these resources for industrial growth.
Discussion
- Even though the theory has meaningful insights, I think it’s lack of basis. I think China and Japan also had coal, so why these two countries cannot evolve like Western Europe? I agree with the idea, the new continent supported Europe to grow up, but the issue should be why only Europe could go new continent. Anyway, I think not only these two factor, but a lot of things in global history let Europe give birth industrial growth.
- I think it’s similar with the theory that Greek Philosophy were born based on the slave. In conclusion, division of labor would produce a evolution.
Conclusion
Today, we’ve read The Great Divergence, which describes the reason why and similarity between Europe and East Asia, especially China and Japan.
Next, let me introduce Thought and behavior in modern Japanese politicsfrom Zenport Book Club #103.
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