The hottest Industrialization Substack posts right now

The debate over development strategies for poor countries is evolving, with a shift towards focusing on green energy and non-traded services rather than traditional manufacturing and exports.
Authors like Dani Rodrik and Joseph Stiglitz argue that poorer countries may face challenges in industrialization due to factors like reduced global demand for manufactured goods and increased automation.
Successful growth stories of countries like Bangladesh challenge the notion that industrialization is no longer a viable development strategy for poor nations, emphasizing the importance of traditional methods for economic progress.

China has become the world's top manufacturing power, accounting for 35% of global production.
China's economic success is largely attributed to its state-led development model, with government-controlled enterprises and strategic policies.
The US is heavily reliant on Chinese manufactured goods, making complete decoupling challenging and costly for both countries.

Prosperity has significantly increased in the past 250 years compared to historical wealth.
Research on economic history shows multiple factors contributing to substantial economic growth.
Culture, ideas, and knowledge sharing play crucial roles in driving progress and innovation.

Russia's past victories were due to alliances with leading economic powers
Soviet industrial power was built through American support and collaboration
Key figures like Saul Bron played a crucial role in facilitating Soviet-American trade

The United States exports thermal coal despite reducing domestic use, leading to accusations of hypocrisy
Coal fires industrialization, with India increasing coal-fired power capacity
China leads in solar power due to historical American neglect of solar development

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Samuel More's passion for industry made him an industrial romantic who found awe in technological advancements.
The West Midlands flourished and grew due to improvements in medicine, iron, ceramics, and new transportation infrastructure like roads, railways, and canals.
Technology and infrastructure created an extraordinary boom in the West Midlands during a time of trade interruption from the American Revolution.

The Bethlehem Mill was a once-thriving industrial complex that declined due to economic changes and globalization.
The site faced environmental issues and cleanup challenges due to decades of industrial activity.
Capitalism's impact on industrial sites like the Bethlehem Mill underscores the importance of responsible stewardship and waste management.

Industrial decisions involve standardization and division of labor to optimize efficiency.
Industrializing decision-making processes can lead to increased efficiency but also create templates for fraud.
Not all decision processes should be industrialized; monitoring and flexibility are crucial for long-term success.

Gigafactories are important for countries' car industries to keep high-skilled jobs and stay competitive in the shift to electric vehicles.
The value in electric cars is mainly in the battery, which is prompting the need for countries to develop their own battery and component manufacturing.
Building gigafactories is just the start - countries also need to focus on producing the chemicals and materials that go into batteries to truly benefit from the electric vehicle market.