The Needham puzzle: why the Industrial Revolution did not originate in China
Article Abstract:
China's scientific and technological level in the 14th century was unsurpassed by any other civilization at that time. In those times, technological and scientific discoveries were made by artisans and farmers, of which China had a good number because of its large population. However, China failed to progress to the scientific method of mathematized hypotheses, controlled experiments and test replications because of bureaucracy and the lack of genuine inquiry due to domination by leaders with absolute political power. This explains why China did not have an industrial revolution in the 14th century and continues to lag behind the Western world in modern times.
Publication Name: Economic Development & Cultural Change
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0013-0079
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Risk sharing and private transfers: what about urban households?
Article Abstract:
A study of 507 low-income urban households in Cartagena, Columbia, reveals patterns in risk sharing and private transfers. Costs and benefits for insurance are different for urban and rural environments. The implementation of state sponsored unemployment insurance could affect the incentives for private groups to offer support. State sponsored support could also provide a foundation for further private development.
Publication Name: Economic Development & Cultural Change
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0013-0079
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The puzzle of interlocking power hierarchies: sharing the pieces of jurisdictional authority
Article Abstract:
The author discusses multicultural and its potentially negative effect on the idea of universal citizenship. A comprehensive multicultural citizenship model is proposed.
Publication Name: Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0017-8039
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Determining who voted in historical elections: an aggregated logit approach. Spatial distribution of suburban ethnic businesses
- Abstracts: Economy and religion in the neolithic revolution: material surplus and the proto-religious ethic. Restructuring the Chinese City: Changing Society, Economy and Space
- Abstracts: Responses of employees to cultural adaptation by a foreign manager
- Abstracts: Theorizing the mechanisms of conceptual and semiotic space. Mr. Smith does not go to Washington. Pro-space activism and narcissistic phantasy
- Abstracts: The Warren Court: a retrospective. The politics of Medicare and prescription drug costs. The Baltimore city drug treatment court: 3-year self-report outcome study