Even vassals westernize. Too many westernized countries.

[oblio-]

A fair compromise may be to keep the current system but only make a few AIs willing to westernize if the proper conditions are met.

IMO one of the best triggers for this would be a period of crisis. For example if they lose quite a bit of land in wars (say 20% of the total number of provinces in 30 years).
Such big changes are more likely to happen during a period of unrest.
Or, alternatively, under enlightened leadership - perhaps a 5+/5+/5+ leader?

 

[happymix91]

The only problem is, it was not needed. Until you got to industrialization, which only really works if you have a decently wealthy middle class and merchant class, the rest could be saddled on monarchs. Hell, in most of Europe it was - France didn't have a central bank up to the half of the 18th century. To reach the levels reached by 1750 Europe you only need technical proficiency and military know-how; societal restructuring is needed for the next jump.

Yes. societal restructing needs a 'jump'. This 'jump' can be done under western mentality.

 

[happymix91]

If you want to talk about technology gap before 17th, it should be cared by technology cost. I think that 160% for Asian countries too harsh for them. And they must start at 4th technology at 1444. But westernization is another matter. Easy westernization neglects many efforts of 1850-1950 Asian people. They struggled for many other Asian people for westerniation, but just 2400 point and little unrest are nothing.

 

[cpm4001]

While I'm noticing a lot more nations starting to Westernize than in 1.7, I'm also noticing most of those nations failing to Westernize 2-3 times due to rebels. This, to me at least, makes it a lot more acceptable.

 

[PhroX]

One thing to note is that "westernising" is not the same as completely catching up with "the west". Even with neighbour bonuses, the newly westernised nations will still usually lag a fair way behind in tech.

 

[VampireBoot]

There's a bug where you can westernize if a western country owns one of your cores (instead of the other way around). I've seen landlocked Mali westernize because Portugal conquered its former provinces in Jolof, even though it's nowhere near close enough now.