Question

Which of these was important at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution but is no longer important to highly developed countries?
Access to large markets

Technological monopolies

Transportation infrastructure

Proximity to sources of energy

A well-trained workforce

Answer 1

I would say Technological Monopolies. Access to large markets might have not been so important back then, but it is definitely needed for consumers now. Transportation was also something not so critical but now it is one of the biggest fraction of government spending. Proximity to sources of energy are needed both by the people during the IR and people today to maintain the success the IR brought us. A well-trained workforce is also needed in both circumstances, as people without training can mess up factors of production and damage reputation.