I am thinking that the question: Name a large economy that made a transition from poor/agricultural to prosperous/industrial without the use of protectionism to first build an industrial base. Is too narrow to find many examples and lacks a clear cut demarcation of of these concepts.
I would frame it more like "Name a country that increased their Per Capita Income (PPP) to $13,000 without the use of protectionism"? ------------------------------ Rutherfordian RDRutherford
Niche construction is important in the biological context as well. Depending on the way you look at it, you can see manipulative, altruistic, protective or Gaian aspects. This fits in this discussion.
