Why the Industrial Revolution Did Not Originate in Ancient China
Economist Viktor Korenivsky, in a discussion with political scientist Yuriy Romanenko, analyzed the reasons why Ancient China did not become the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. He identified the primary cause as the closed nature of Chinese society and a lack of knowledge exchange. Korenivsky drew a parallel to modern private capital, pointing to similar restrictive tendencies.
He noted that over the last 500 years, Europe achieved technological advancement through open communication. He highlighted the 'Republic of Letters' in early modern Europe, where inventors and scientists freely exchanged ideas. This openness and willingness to share knowledge were key drivers of European progress, a dynamic largely absent in imperial China.
Eastern Worldview and Modern Parallels
The economist also focused on the particularities of the Eastern worldview.
"If you take any set of tools invented by the Chinese, there were simply hundreds of different variations. But why did they not become mass-produced? Because in the Eastern worldview, they lack the primacy found in Christianity—the belief that man is capable of creating something" - Viktor Korenivsky.He added that inventions in China remained closely guarded, while Western nations were able to scale up the most optimal models.
Korenivsky further drew an analogy to the contemporary situation, noting that
"everyone closes themselves off, and 'I am not going to share, this is a commercial secret'" - Viktor Korenivsky.This indicates that the problems of secrecy and a lack of knowledge exchange remain relevant in the modern world, often hindering innovation.
An analysis of Viktor Korenivsky's views underscores the critical importance of openness in societies for technological progress. His comparison between historical and modern trends demonstrates that isolation can limit development and innovation regardless of the era. In the context of globalization and rapid technological change, the issue of knowledge sharing remains crucial for achieving success today, making this historical case study particularly instructive.