So I am not very good at victoria 2. I don't if its because I just not good at this or that I am completely missing something critical. The main problem I have is industry. I can't get my fucking capitalists to build factories they just won't do it so I have to build them all by myself all the time. My industry is generally several hundred behind the leading powers. I've played a game as Prussia and Japan and gotten the same problem. I've reducing all the taxes, raising tariffs, lowering tariffs, switching between planned economy, state capitalism, laizze faire. Nothing works suggestions?
If you just want industry, the best way to expand industry is too take over other people factories. Sometimes your capitalists won't do alot of work you can't just rely on your pops.
First of, you should tax your rich at 0%, what your problem seems to be is the lack of craftsmen, so I suggest high taxes on the lower classes to prevent them from promoting to middle class people. Also put your national focus on "Encourage Craftsmen" in your highest populated province. Second of tarrifs should always be as low as possible, since this reduces the price of goods your capitalists needs to buy to make factories run. The best economic policy in the game is obviously interventionism so go with that
