>>> Ming dynasty rulers felt that China was culturally, technologically, and economically superior to all other nations They most likely were at that time. >>

>>> Ming dynasty rulers felt that China was culturally, technologically, and economically superior to all other nations They most likely were at that time. >>> Obviously, that turned out to be a total failure of a policy as China was rapidly surpassed by the West over the next several centuries and is still catching up today You don't know that. Maybe expanding beyond your means for no good economic reason would have been a bad idea? And the reason they're catching up today has little to do with that decision. The industrial revolution or the enlightenment didn't happen because Columbus discovered America. >>> This whole discussion seems sort of pointless to me Agreed.