That is an interesting real life comparison actually! It is interesting to think about how the people lost their jobs due to modernization efforts. That being said, it's not necessarily a perfect one. The quarries were doing just fine and were very profitable back when they had trading efforts with the city states, who still used plenty of stone. And it's also directly mentioned in many places just how much havoc the Garleans wreaked on the Ala Mighan economy through their mass conscription and forced labor. Which always makes me wonder where all of those conscripted soldiers went off to...and whether or not they might come back.

I also like the examinations of Gaius in this thread as well. He's kind of a fun character in that he's a true believer in the Garlean ethos, to the point of blind faith in it.