assignment

Questions and Answers

1: According to Landes, China was unable to develop industrial revolution on its own because they were not accurate in judging the scientific abilities of European. Although, China was more advanced than many European countries and had such advancement in the technology that Europe lacked, but due to their strict market rules and against private businesses, and also the period they spend during the Ming dynasty in which they were mostly immobilized and autarchy, they lacked behind. Due to this reason and many others like no trade via seas, they were not able to have an industrial revolution of their own.

2: when Europe was developing new technologies, china was busy in staying aloof and cut off from the world during the Ming dynasty. Although they eyed the development that Europe was making and knew well they could achieve them but due to their lack of interest, policies and political views; they remained behind. China was presented with two options; either they could develop a scientific and advance technological advancement by their own knowledge or follow what Europe was doing in the field of technology. But China failed on both occasions. That is why; china was not able to earn new technologies from Europe.

3: in Landes’ view, Europe was ambitious. They were used to have technological advancements and high in science but as the time went on, they were unable to contribute to those achievements. In this way, they lacked behind. Similarly, when china had everything, and when they could have buildup an industrial revolution, they stopped trying. They were not focusing on anything but their years old ways of treating science and advancement and not listening to new ways or learning them. Whereas Europe was keen and alert.

4: Pomeranz said that those features which were considered crucial in the eye of Landes were not actually that important because they were that true in his view. According to Landes, the issue with china was strict policies and no free environment whereas Europe was free form all restrictions.

5: Pomeranz think that the free market and better economic conditions were the crucial factors that enabled Europe to have an industrial revolution. Everyone was allowed to do as they liked. And develop something they liked. Unlike china where everything was under strict control and no free market sense was there. When someone developed something, it was appreciated and brought forward and looked into to see if any changes were required. Due to these wo factors, Europe was able to have an industrial revolution.