@obrhoff I feel like it’s the general capitalist situation. WE must praise efficiency above or else, even as we lose our jobs. Efficiency is progress.
However, when another power achieves better efficiency we must panic and boycott/war. Their efficiency is meaningless and/or threatening OUR livelihoods.
Empires fought over trade routes, forcing trade route changes (sea over land, longer routes over canals, canals over longer routes as they change hands) etc.