One tale of two countries? : an historical-comparative analysis of the Industrial Revolution of Taiwan and Britain

Abstract

This thesis attempts to challenge the idea of an exclusive East Asian Developmental State model. The question this thesis seeks to answer is: Are the developmental strategies and geopolitical context that make up the Developmental State Model exclusive only for East Asia, or may these factors be found in other historical and geographical contexts? Taiwan represents the East Asian NICs, and the comparative case is the Industrial Revolution in Britain; perhaps the most different case in explaining industrialization and economic growth. Whereas the Developmental State model is a neo-statist, mercantilist approach to industrialization, most explanations of the Industrial Revolution is neoclassical and focuses on laissez faire. The Developmental State model makes up the theoretical framework for the thesis, and theory is embedded in the study. The variables under scrutiny are 1) geopolitical situation; 2) industrial and trade policies and; 3) state strength and state capacity. The aim of comparison is to identify similarities between the two cases. Data are empirical, secondary data, and have been collected from various sources. The larger relevance of this thesis is the questioning of the neo-liberal interpretation of history that supports free trade as the “correct” path to development, and whether the accumulation of knowledge regarding such development is dependent on particular “paradigms” utilized for interpretation.