In an alternate scenario, what if their is slow development and the world remains the 18th century? What I mean is that what if culturally and technologically remains the 18th century? Technologically, having muskets and cannons in the army, or ships with sails in the navy. Culturally, having frockcoats and powder wigs in society.
How would this effect world history? Could the Industrial revolution still happen, with trains and iron factories, but no steamships or repeating guns? or How would the technology effect wars? How would it effect economics and trade?
Would countries such as the Russian Empire, Japan, or the Ottomans be effected by this slow development? What countries would be best fitted in this world?