Includes bibliographical references (pages [226]-249) and index (pages [250]-259).
Contents:
The world is rich. Theories of How the World Became Rich. Did some societies win the geography lottery? -- Is it all just institutions? -- Did culture make some rich and others poor? -- Fewer babies? -- Was it just a matter of colonization and exploitation? -- Why Some Parts of the World Became Rich First, Why Other Parts Followed, and Why Some Are Not There Yet. Why did Northwestern Europe become rich first? -- Britain's Industrial Revolution -- The rise of the modern economy -- Industrialization and the world it created -- The world is rich.
Summary:
Most humans are significantly richer than their ancestors. Humanity gained nearly all of its wealth in the last two centuries. How did this come to pass? How did the world become rich? The authors dive into the many theories of why modern economic growth happened when and where it did. They discuss recently advanced theories rooted in geography, politics, culture, demography, and colonialism. Pieces of each of these theories help explain key events on the path to modern riches. Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in 18th-century Britain? Why did some European countries, the US, and Japan catch up in the 19th century? Why did it take until the late 20th and 21st centuries for other countries? Why have some still not caught up? Here, the authors show that the past can provide a guide for how countries can escape poverty. There are certain prerequisites that all successful economies seem to have. But there is also no panacea. A society's past and its institutions and culture play a key role in shaping how it may - or may not - develop--Publisher's description.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.