Explaining Long-Term Economic Change [Paperback]

A concise and accessible examination of the established models used to explain long-term and large-scale economic change.Drawing on examples from European and Asian history in the early modern period, this work presents an accessible and nontechnical exposition of the competing models that have been developed to explain long-term and large-scale economic change.Drawing on examples from European and Asian history in the early modern period, this work presents an accessible and nontechnical exposition of the competing models that have been developed to explain long-term and large-scale economic change.This book provides an introduction to, and critical review of, the competing models that have been developed to explain long-term and large-scale economic change. An acquaintance with these models is necessary for an understanding of the processes that produced the foundations for the modern pattern of global production and distribution. Drawing examples from European and Asian history in the early modern period, the author presents an accessible and nontechnical exposition that will be invaluable to students of economic history.Introduction; 1. Models, theories and history; 2. Market explanations of economic change; 3. The environment; 4. Population: the importance of people; 5. Deus ex machina? Technology and science; 6. Institutions and change: theory and history; 7. Development as exploitation?; 8. Review and preview; Notes; Bibliography; Index. ...this slim volume offers an introduction for students to comparative models explaining economic development....The clarity of exposition allows the neophyte student immediately to grasp the essential nature of and essential differences among principal models. John P. Powelson, The Journal of Asian Studies