... build upon Britain's lead and eventually bring about the ending of Britain's pre-eminent position in the world economy-at least according to popular myth! That Britain played a major role in redefining the way in which goods were produced and transported across the world is undeniable but to suggest that she alone lead the way needs to be examined closely, for the argument is flawed as I intend to demonstrate. It is significant to note that in much of Germany 'rural house-hold production [continued] long after the [emergence of] Lancashire-style textile factories [in] Prussia during the 1830's.' (Block2, p.82). The continued emphasis on small-scale production techniques in Germany marks an important deviation from the British model. Indeed Waites goes on to draw attention to this fact with his observation that 'there is a clear difference in "patterning" between Britain and Belgium on the one hand, and France and Germany on the other.' ...

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