Joel Mokyr is een vooraanstaand economisch historicus wiens werk dieper ingaat op de langetermijntrends en factoren die de menselijke vooruitgang hebben gevormd. Zijn analyses richten zich op hoe technologische innovatie, instituties en de verspreiding van kennis de economische groei en maatschappelijke verandering door de eeuwen heen beïnvloeden. Mokyr onderzoekt de ingewikkelde wisselwerking tussen wetenschap, technologie en economie en onthult de complexe paden waarlangs de mensheid welvaart heeft bereikt. Zijn uitgebreide onderzoek biedt waardevolle inzichten in de wortels van de moderne economie en de krachten die deze blijven aansturen.
This book, first published in 2005, offers a scholarly exploration of its subject matter, providing insights and analyses that are relevant to both academics and practitioners. As part of the Routledge imprint, it reflects rigorous research and contributes to ongoing discussions in its field. The work is designed to engage readers with its comprehensive approach and is a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the topic.
Why did Western countries become so much wealthier than the rest of the world? And what explains the huge rise in incomes during the Industrial Revolution - and why did Britain lead the way? This title offers a perspective for understanding Britain's extraordinary rise during the Industrial Revolution.
Exploring the complexities of the Industrial Revolution, this revised edition features contributions from Joel Mokyr and four distinguished scholars who examine various interpretations and assumptions surrounding this pivotal era. Each chapter is updated to reflect new arguments and findings since its original publication in 1993. The book provides a comprehensive survey of economic history, making it essential for both economic historians and those interested in the broader historical context of Great Britain during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
During the late eighteenth century, innovations in Europe triggered the
Industrial Revolution and the sustained economic progress that spread across
the globe. While much has been made of the details of the Industrial
Revolution, what remains a mystery is why it took place at all. Why did this
revolution begin in the West and not elsewhere, and why did it continue,
leading to today's unprecedented prosperity? In this groundbreaking book,
celebrated economic historian Joel Mokyr argues that a culture of growth
specific to early modern Europe and the European Enlightenment laid the
foundations for the scientific advances and pioneering inventions that would
instigate explosive technological and economic development. Bringing together
economics, the history of science and technology, and models of cultural
evolution, Mokyr demonstrates that culture- the beliefs, values, and
preferences in society that are capable of changing behavior- was a deciding
factor in societal transformations.
"During the late eighteenth century, innovations in Europe triggered the Industrial Revolution and the sustained economic progress that spread across the globe. While much has been made of the details of the Industrial Revolution, what remains a mystery is why it took place at all. Why did this revolution begin in the West and not elsewhere, and why did it continue, leading to today's unprecedented prosperity? In this groundbreaking book, celebrated economic historian Joel Mokyr argues that a culture of growth specific to early modern Europe and the European Enlightenment laid the foundations for the scientific advances and pioneering inventions that would instigate explosive technological and economic development. Bringing together economics, the history of science and technology, and models of cultural evolution, Mokyr demonstrates that culture--the beliefs, values, and preferences in society that are capable of changing behavior--was a deciding factor in societal transformations. Mokyr looks at the period 1500-1700 to show that a politically fragmented Europe fostered a competitive "market for ideas" and a willingness to investigate the secrets of nature. At the same time, a transnational community of brilliant thinkers known as the "Republic of Letters" freely circulated and distributed ideas and writings. This political fragmentation and the supportive intellectual environment explain how the Industrial Revolution happened in Europe but not China, despite similar levels of technology and intellectual activity. In Europe, heterodox and creative thinkers could find sanctuary in other countries and spread their thinking across borders. In contrast, China's version of the Enlightenment remained controlled by the ruling elite. Combining ideas from economics and cultural evolution, A Culture of Growth provides startling reasons for why the foundations of our modern economy were laid in the mere two centuries between Columbus and Newton."--Publisher's description
