What is Eurocentrism and why have explanations for the Industrial Revolution sometimes been called Eurocentric?

Eurocentrism is a worldview that centers on and elevates Western civilization or a specific European culture or perspective, often at the expense of views and contributions from non-Western cultures. It tends to present European or Western civilization as superior, more advanced, or the norm, and it often involves a biased perspective that interprets the world through a Western lens.

Explanations for the Industrial Revolution have sometimes been called Eurocentric because they often focus primarily on developments and factors within Europe, particularly Britain, while downplaying or ignoring the global context and the role of non-European societies. For example, some explanations emphasize factors such as the scientific revolution, the Enlightenment, or specific European cultural or institutional features, suggesting that these were unique to Europe and led inevitably to industrialization.

However, these explanations have been criticized as Eurocentric for several reasons. First, they can overlook the fact that scientific, technological, and cultural developments occurred in many parts of the world, not just Europe. Second, they can ignore the ways in which European industrialization was facilitated by global connections, such as trade with Asia and the Americas, or the exploitation of resources and labor in colonies. Finally, they can imply a sense of European exceptionalism or superiority, suggesting that only Europe could have produced the Industrial Revolution, which is a view not universally accepted among historians.