Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary assertion made about the six apps mentioned?
What is the primary assertion made about the six apps mentioned?
What type of systems do the authors of 'Why Nations Fail' categorize as favorable for development?
What type of systems do the authors of 'Why Nations Fail' categorize as favorable for development?
What is considered a major contributor to countries ceasing to develop?
What is considered a major contributor to countries ceasing to develop?
Which of the following theories is critiqued in the text as failing to explain the Great Divergence?
Which of the following theories is critiqued in the text as failing to explain the Great Divergence?
Signup and view all the answers
What common belief about race is mentioned in relation to Western development?
What common belief about race is mentioned in relation to Western development?
Signup and view all the answers
What timeline does the Great Divergence refer to according to the content?
What timeline does the Great Divergence refer to according to the content?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these works is cited as sharing views with other Western theories?
Which of these works is cited as sharing views with other Western theories?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the critique assert about the theories related to culture and race?
What does the critique assert about the theories related to culture and race?
Signup and view all the answers
What is typically considered the main cause of the Great Divergence?
What is typically considered the main cause of the Great Divergence?
Signup and view all the answers
During which time frame did significant economic changes in Europe begin to be noted?
During which time frame did significant economic changes in Europe begin to be noted?
Signup and view all the answers
How did China's per capita income level compare from 1 AD to 1950?
How did China's per capita income level compare from 1 AD to 1950?
Signup and view all the answers
The initial similarity in income levels among different regions around 1000 AD indicated what about global economic conditions?
The initial similarity in income levels among different regions around 1000 AD indicated what about global economic conditions?
Signup and view all the answers
What term is used to describe the economic disparity that began to emerge mainly in Western Europe after the 16th century?
What term is used to describe the economic disparity that began to emerge mainly in Western Europe after the 16th century?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of global economic history, which region remained relatively stagnant until the 20th century?
In the context of global economic history, which region remained relatively stagnant until the 20th century?
Signup and view all the answers
Which century saw the emergence of observable changes in income levels in Europe?
Which century saw the emergence of observable changes in income levels in Europe?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the economic status of Europe around the 16th and 17th centuries compared to the rest of the world?
What was the economic status of Europe around the 16th and 17th centuries compared to the rest of the world?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a primary factor that led to the Military Revolution in Europe?
What was a primary factor that led to the Military Revolution in Europe?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these countries was recognized as the wealthiest in the world around 1550?
Which of these countries was recognized as the wealthiest in the world around 1550?
Signup and view all the answers
By 1780, which country had weakened compared to others in military power?
By 1780, which country had weakened compared to others in military power?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the probability of war occurring in Europe every year during the 16th and 17th centuries?
What was the probability of war occurring in Europe every year during the 16th and 17th centuries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which aspect contributed to the expansion of military forces in Europe?
Which aspect contributed to the expansion of military forces in Europe?
Signup and view all the answers
What military organization change occurred during the Military Revolution?
What military organization change occurred during the Military Revolution?
Signup and view all the answers
During which century did Spain begin to show signs of decline in military power?
During which century did Spain begin to show signs of decline in military power?
Signup and view all the answers
Which countries developed strong military forces by 1700?
Which countries developed strong military forces by 1700?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant demand has been made by many countries from former colonizers?
What significant demand has been made by many countries from former colonizers?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the two main questions driving the discussion about the Great Divergence?
What were the two main questions driving the discussion about the Great Divergence?
Signup and view all the answers
What astronomical amount did Africa demand as reparation from developed countries in 1999?
What astronomical amount did Africa demand as reparation from developed countries in 1999?
Signup and view all the answers
Which theory suggested that the development disparity was due to racial superiority?
Which theory suggested that the development disparity was due to racial superiority?
Signup and view all the answers
Which country is noted for demanding $45 trillion in reparation from Britain?
Which country is noted for demanding $45 trillion in reparation from Britain?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did the military revolution play in European countries during the time of colonialism?
What role did the military revolution play in European countries during the time of colonialism?
Signup and view all the answers
What misconception did 19th-century Europeans and North Americans hold about their development?
What misconception did 19th-century Europeans and North Americans hold about their development?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the perception of racial superiority contribute to debates on development?
How did the perception of racial superiority contribute to debates on development?
Signup and view all the answers
The increase in extractive capacity in Europe is associated with which phenomenon?
The increase in extractive capacity in Europe is associated with which phenomenon?
Signup and view all the answers
How did colonialism and slavery contribute to the wealth of Western nations?
How did colonialism and slavery contribute to the wealth of Western nations?
Signup and view all the answers
What factor distinguishes the timing of the Great Divergence starting after the mid-1800s?
What factor distinguishes the timing of the Great Divergence starting after the mid-1800s?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements is correct regarding the fiscal capacity of European powers?
Which of the following statements is correct regarding the fiscal capacity of European powers?
Signup and view all the answers
Which region is mentioned as having remained stagnant during the early phases of the Great Divergence?
Which region is mentioned as having remained stagnant during the early phases of the Great Divergence?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of the racist theories discussed during the 19th century?
What was a consequence of the racist theories discussed during the 19th century?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of the massive wealth generated from colonialism and slavery for developing countries?
What was a consequence of the massive wealth generated from colonialism and slavery for developing countries?
Signup and view all the answers
What phrase encapsulated the belief in racial superiority during the 19th century?
What phrase encapsulated the belief in racial superiority during the 19th century?
Signup and view all the answers
How did extraction relate to military capability according to the content?
How did extraction relate to military capability according to the content?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did extraction play in infrastructure development?
What role did extraction play in infrastructure development?
Signup and view all the answers
Which revolutions contributed significantly to the rise of the West?
Which revolutions contributed significantly to the rise of the West?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the content, what was a key factor allowing Western states to practice colonialism?
According to the content, what was a key factor allowing Western states to practice colonialism?
Signup and view all the answers
What conclusion was drawn from the extraction levels of European countries after the 17th century?
What conclusion was drawn from the extraction levels of European countries after the 17th century?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Geoffrey Parker describe the rise of the West?
How did Geoffrey Parker describe the rise of the West?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a characteristic of the Military Revolution mentioned in the content?
What was a characteristic of the Military Revolution mentioned in the content?
Signup and view all the answers
What historical practices were fueled by extraction according to the discussion?
What historical practices were fueled by extraction according to the discussion?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Transcript of Video Lecture: State Capacity and Economic Growth
- Transcript is for students currently enrolled in "UGCP1002 Hong Kong in the Wider Constitutional Order" course.
- No part may be reproduced without prior permission.
- Lecture by Professor WANG Shaoguang.
The Great Divergence
- Economic growth is the driving force of development.
- Human history of ~3 million years, economic growth was rare until ~300 years ago.
- Significant change occurred in the century around 1800 (1750-1840), marked by economic growth in Europe. This became known as the Great Divergence.
- Before the 16th century, economies in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America developed at similar rates.
- A significant divergence in growth rates occurred after the 16th/17th centuries.
- The Industrial Revolution played a pivotal role in this change, as of the 16th century onwards.
Prevalent Theories
- The 19th-century theory of "the white man's burden" suggested that whites were superior and destined to develop civilizations. This idea was racist and later discredited
- Jared Diamond's theory emphasized geography and natural resources as drivers, but this is flawed
- Other explanations regarding institutions, culture, or race are also flawed.
- Recent books like "Why Nations Fail" focused on whether the systems were "inclusive" or "extractive", as another determining factor.
State Capacity and Economic Growth
- State capacity is the ability of a state to turn its will into action. It includes infrastructural capacities
- Seven categories of state capacity
- Coercive capacity, or the ability to use force to maintain order.
- Extractive capacity, or the ability to raise revenue through taxation.
- Assimilative capacity, or the ability to create a shared national identity and values.
- These capacities are crucial for economic growth
- Coercion, extraction, and assimilation are fundamental capacities of (earlier) modern states.
- Coercive capacity is the unique quality of states. It includes internal and external security.
- Extractive capacity is necessary for funding other functions such as the military.
Military Revolution and the Rise of the West
- The Military Revolution (16th-18th centuries) involved technological advancements in warfare, larger armies, and better organization.
- This was crucial for economic growth as it increased extractive capacity and created a more secure environment for investment.
- Frequent wars in Europe facilitated the Military Revolution and the increase in overall state capacity between the 16th and 18th centuries, which allowed the West to surpass other economies. Colonialism, slave trade, and the extraction of wealth from other countries further strengthened Europe's economic position.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz examines the concepts of state capacity and its relationship to economic growth as discussed in UGCP1002 Hong Kong in the Wider Constitutional Order. Explore the historical context of economic divergence, particularly the Great Divergence and its implications on global economics. Gain insights into the theories that have shaped our understanding of development.
