To what extent was political stability the main factor which enabled industrialization in two countries?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that political stability was the main factor which enabled industrialization in two countries. The two countries may or may not be from the same region. Candidates may consider the extent by which political stability facilitated industrialization by providing capitalists with a reasonable certainty that resources invested were safe from the risk of political upheaval. An appropriate example may include England after the Glorious Revolution, where funds were injected into an increasingly sophisticated finance system enabling investment in industrialization. Additionally, political stability may have provided the opportunity to design and implement long-term programmes that support industrialization, such as Witte's reforms in Russia in the 1890s or Park’s export-led model in Korea in 1960s. Candidates may also wish to consider how politically stable countries may become attractive to foreign investors and benefit from the insertion of foreign capital, for instance the introduction of Maquiladoras in Mexico. Other relevant factors that enabled industrialization may be addressed, for example the availability of human and natural resources and infrastructure, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that political stability was the main factor which enabled industrialization in two countries. A few responses were seen but, for the most part, knowledge was limited with content consisting of general comments on industrialisation in authoritarian states.