Particularly speaking in the context of economic growth, the world witnessed remarkable progress as technological revolution was started and countries had understood the need to have independent economy so that they cannot be defeated by other countries. High economic growth was witnessed in Europe, USA and Japan as well. [4: Peter Duus and Kenji Hasegawa, Rediscovering America (USA: University of California Press, 2011).] The overview of Japanese tradition and their consumption patterns show that Japan made high development in economy and industry[footnoteRef:5]. Many quality tools were developed in Japan which proved to be worth following all over the world. The economy was booming by leaps and bounds hence Japan was assumed to be direct competitor of USA at many fronts. The changes were noted by the laymen in Japan particularly the farmers witnessed incredible changes in their lifestyle[footnoteRef:6] after the war ended in 1945. [5: Wm Bary, Carol Gluck and Arthur Tiedemann, Sources of Japanese Tradition (USA: Columbia University Press, n.d.).] [6: Simon Partner, Toshie (USA: University of California Press, 2004).]

Having discussed the points which are against the statement of Andrew Gordon, it is important to mention that there are many historians who have significant evidence in favour of his statement. The biggest evidence lies in the fact that the world divided into various blocks as it was before the Second World War. The period between the two World Wars was terrible for governments and citizens as well. As people were expecting another war after the First...

People were afraid of another war that could cause more destruction than the combined one faced as a result of two World Wars. It was the expectation of another Great War which forced the international bodies and authorities to devise a system of mutual interdependence that could act as barrier for countries to enter in war again.
If the statement of Andrew Gordon is considered to be correct, it is concluded that the social life of people may not have been changed during the war or after it. It is because; even in World War there is selected community of soldiers and their family members who are affected the most. The rest of the people spend their lives as normal. This fact can be observed in the modern 21st century as well as there are many countries where war is going on and people are spending their lives as normal. There has been no change at micro level however; the government officials are at the horn of dilemma to bear the expenses of war.

Bibliography

Bary, Wm, Gluck, Carol and Tiedemann, Arthur. Sources of Japanese Tradition. USA, Columbia University Press, n.d.

Duus, Peter and Hasegawa, Kenji. Rediscovering America. USA, University of California Press, 2011.

Partner, Simon. Toshie. USA, University of California Press, 2004.

Stevenson, David. 1914-1918: the history of the First World War. USA: Penguin, 2004.

Turner, John. Britain and the First World War. Australia, Unwim Human Ltd., 1988.