A Concise Economic History of the World

A Concise Economic History of the World: From Paleolithic Times to the Present

List of Figures

List of Tables

Preface

Preface to the First Edition

1 Introduction: Economic History and Economic Development

Development and Underdevelopment

Growth, Development, and Progress

Determinants of Economic Development

Production and Productivity

Economic Structure and Structural Change

The Logistics of Economic Growth

Appendix

2 Economic Development in Ancient Times

Economics and the Emergence of Civilization

The Economic Foundations of Empire

Trade and Development in the Mediterranean World

Economic Achievements and Limits of Ancient Civilization

3 Economic Development in Medieval Europe

The Agrarian Basis

Rural Society

Patterns of Stability

Forces of Change

Europe Expands

The Revival of Urban Life

Commercial Currents and Techniques

Industrial Technology and the Origins of Mechanical Power

The Crisis of the Medieval Economy

4 Non-Western Economies on the Eve of Western Expansion

The World of Islam

The Ottoman Empire

East Asia

South Asia

Africa

The Americas

5 Europe's Second Logistic

Population and Levels of Living

Exploration and Discovery

Overseas Expansion and the Feedback to Europe

The Price Revolution

Agricultural Technology and Productivity

Industrial Technology and Productivity

Trade, Trade Routes, and Commercial Organization

6 Economic Nationalism and Imperialism

Mercantilism: A Misnomer

The Common Elements

Spain and Spanish America

Portugal Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe

Colbertism in France

The Prodigious Increase of the Netherlands

"Parliamentary Colbertism" in Britain

7 The Dawn of Modern Industry

Characteristics of Modern Industry

The Industrial Revolution: A Misnomer

Prerequisites and Concomitants of Industrialization

Industrial Technology and Innovation

Regional Variation

Social Aspects of Early Industrialization

8 Economic Development in the Nineteenth Century: Basic Determinants

Population

Resources

The Development and Diffusion of Technology

Prime Movers and Power Production

Cheap Steel

Transport and Communications

The Application of Science

The Institutional Framework

Legal Foundations

Economic Thought and Policy

Class Structure and Class Struggles

Education and Literacy

International Relations

9 Patterns of Development: The Early Industrializers

Great Britain

The United States

Belgium

France

Germany

10 Patterns of Development: Latecomers and No-Shows

Switzerland

The Netherlands and Scandinavia

The Austro-Hungarian Empire

Southern and Eastern Europe

The Iberian Peninsula

Italy

Southeastern Europe

Imperial Russia

Japan

11 Strategic Sectors

Agriculture

Finance and Banking

The Role of the State

12 The Growth of the World Economy

Britain Opts for Free Trade

The Free Trade Era

The "Great Depression" and the Return to Protection

The International Gold Standard International Migration and Investment

The Revival of Western Imperialism