The Great Divergence debates have led to advances in the study of Eurasian little divergences. This article draws on these achievements to compare the timing and nature of the Eurasian Divergences, asking: first, whether the European little divergence...
The Great Divergence debates have led to advances in the study of Eurasian little divergences. This article draws on these achievements to compare the timing and nature of the Eurasian Divergences, asking: first, whether the European little divergence can be explained by the so-called industrious revolution; second, whether the East Asian little divergence is comparable in character to the European one; lastly, whether the East Asian ‘industrious revolution’ provides a modern transition path or a Sonderweg unique to East Asia. To summarize, although East Asia’s historical trajectory was not stagnant, it did not produce structural and technological conditions for modern transition comparable to the European little divergence. The evidence does not support the notion that the origin of East Asia’s path to transition lies in industrious revolution. A more artificial explanation that takes into consideration the recent advances in the study of East Asian little divergence is necessary.