英国因何丧失了第二次工业革命的领先地位?

Why Britain Failed to Continue Its Leadership during the Second Industrial Revolution

与新自由主义经济学的说法相反,英国的崛起是保护主义的产物,而霸主地位的丧失则恰恰是自由主义之过。文章根据详实的历史资料,揭示了英国在第二次工业革命中丧失领先地位的根本原因在于对自由贸易信条的迷信,执着于为第一次工业革命的主导产业寻求海外市场以榨取最后的利润,从而放弃了对第二次工业革命新兴产业领先市场的追求,教训不可谓不深刻。文章的结论是,是否应该实行自由贸易,这与特定产业的特定发展阶段相关联,普遍的自由贸易是有害的。文章对中国进一步改革开放、开展"走出去"战略、调整经济结构和迎接第三次工业革命的挑战做出了讨论。

In contrast to the neo -liberalism economic theory, the rising of Britain profited from protectionism and it lost its hegemony was just due to liberalism. Base on detailed historic documents, this article reveals that the essential reason of Britain failed to continue its leadership during the second industrial revolution is that it was obsessed with the free trade doctrine and still focused on overseas markets to squeeze profits for its dominant industry, instead of exploiting markets for the new and expanding industries. The lesson Britain learned is pro- found. This article concludes that free trade should be adapted to specific industries and specific developmental stages, and universal or unlimited free trade is harmful. This is important for China＇s to further reform and o- pening - up, ＂go global＂ and carry out economic structural adjustment to meet the challenges of the third indus- trial revolution.