Technology and the Rise of Great Powers

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This work presents a novel theory on how technological revolutions impact the dynamics of great power competition. While traditional perspectives focus on the initial moments of innovation—the "Eureka" moments—Jeffrey Ding shifts the emphasis to the capacity of states to adapt and scale new technologies effectively. He explores why certain nations excel in integrating technological advancements across their economies, rather than merely identifying who first innovated. Through historical case studies of major industrial revolutions and statistical analysis, Ding develops a theory that highlights the importance of institutional adaptations in diffusing technology. He examines Britain's rise during the first industrial revolution, the subsequent overtaking by America and Germany in the second, and Japan's challenge to American dominance in the third, or information revolution. His analysis reveals how these technological shifts reshaped global power dynamics and assesses the broader applicability of his theory to other great powers. The implications of his findings are particularly relevant in the context of contemporary concerns regarding emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and their potential impact on the US-China power balance.