Was Industrialization inevitable?

Is there any PoD in the last 300 years, so that the positive feedback cycle of industrialization doesn't occur?
What happens to the balance of power across the world in that case?
 
300 years ago is already too late, the most difficult bits and pieces to start up the industrialization process were already in place. I would be happy to argue that there are no PODs after the start of Renaissance.
As a matter of fact industrial revolution had already started in China (two separate attempts in the 11th and 12th century, the former in North China and the second in the south): in that case it took a weakening of state structure and an invasion from the steppes to stop it: neither of these causes could be applicable to Europe).
 
Without an ASB level power (since you'd need to have control of the entire planet) actively stopping it Industrialization is going to happen at some point; technology progresses continually.
 
What about stop it by religious and social opposition? I mean, luddism takes over Europe with Churches' approval.
 

Saphroneth

Banned
What about stop it by religious and social opposition? I mean, luddism takes over Europe with Churches' approval.

Sooner or later the wheels come off the Luddite system. If not in Europe, then elsewhere... indeed, the UK would still be a good place for the IR even if the Catholic church was full-bore Luddism. But if not there, then the Ottomans might do it. Or for that matter somewhere in the Far East... or North America, which is conveniently large and far away.

By the time you're getting past what look superficially like improvements in technique into definite new technologies, you're where weapons tech in particular is clearly being improved by higher technology. Specifically, you're getting better iron and steel (for guns), better fabric production (sails, or money) and better mining (feeds into iron and steel).

Bottom line - whoever cracks industrialization first is going to become SUCH a rich country that it'll sweep aside the objections to the change. Other countries will have to adapt, or they'll be left behind... much as happened with the Brits, and any other country that hit industrialization ahead of the pack for that matter.
 
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