By the early 1900s, the disparity in living standards between London and Beijing had widened significantly, with a ratio of six to one. This stark contrast underscores a considerable shift from the previous century, where the difference was only two to one in the eighteenth century. The evolution of global economic dynamics is evident in this growing divide, reflecting changes in wealth distribution and industrial development.

Niall Ferguson's work, "Civilization: The West and the Rest," examines these transformations and their implications on the world stage. The widening gap illustrates how certain regions adapted more successfully to modernization and industrialization, leaving others behind in terms of prosperity and quality of life.