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The Record of Global Economic Development
The Record of Global Economic Development analyses the long-term and current economic forces which promote or impede globalisation, drawing on the experience of economic history to help interpret major trends in modern economies.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
The Record of Global Economic Development analyses the long-term and current economic forces which promote or impede globalisation, drawing on the experience of economic history to help interpret major trends in modern economies.
Eric Jones brings up-to-date the debate on the origins of, and suitable conditions for, economic growth and discusses themes relating to cultural, institutional and structural change. He rejects cultural explanations of economic growth and emphasises the institutional and political conditions that support it. An account of long-term world agriculture is followed by a brief history of English agriculture and a critique of the latest arguments for preserving it. Other topics considered include language protectionism, East Asia’s ‘miracle’ and crisis, and specific attempts to adjust to or resist globalisation.
A broad range of geographical as well as historical examples relating to England, Europe, East Asia and Australia, is drawn on. This multidisciplinary work will appeal to a wide readership, including institutional economists, economic historians, sociologists, political scientists, historians and historical geographers.
Eric Jones brings up-to-date the debate on the origins of, and suitable conditions for, economic growth and discusses themes relating to cultural, institutional and structural change. He rejects cultural explanations of economic growth and emphasises the institutional and political conditions that support it. An account of long-term world agriculture is followed by a brief history of English agriculture and a critique of the latest arguments for preserving it. Other topics considered include language protectionism, East Asia’s ‘miracle’ and crisis, and specific attempts to adjust to or resist globalisation.
A broad range of geographical as well as historical examples relating to England, Europe, East Asia and Australia, is drawn on. This multidisciplinary work will appeal to a wide readership, including institutional economists, economic historians, sociologists, political scientists, historians and historical geographers.
Critical Acclaim
‘The Record of Global Economic Development is vintage Eric Jones. It is readable, fascinating and convincing. Indeed, it should be required reading for all development economists, as well as for students of economic growth and of how the modem world economy came into being.’
– Stuart Jones, The South African Journal of Economic History
‘The volume is a fascinating read because disparate topics on social and economic change are linked by this consistent theme.’
– David Robertson, Policy
‘The Record of Global Economic Development is an impressive work, rich with ideas and breathtaking in scope. Its knowledgeable and seemingly effortless coverage of a wide variety of subjects alone is a mark of the imposing scholarship embodied in it. It deserves to be widely read.’
– Gary B. Magee, Economic Record
‘This is an ambitious book by one of the world’s leading economic historians.’
– Russell Smyth, Economic Analysis and Policy
‘Jones should be applauded not only for his ambition but also for his courage and achievement. His books are major contributions to our understanding of the vitally important question of long-run growth.’
– Forrest Capie, History: The Journal of the Historical Association
‘Historians should read the book to widen the horizons of their work and learn more of the relevant economic and social theory behind long-term evolution when dealing with dynamic social evolution, and all others should do so for the sheer pleasure of reading an instructive, well-argued and beautifully produced book!’
– Wolfgang Kasper, Australian Economic History Review
‘Scholars of economic growth will want to read the chapters on growth for a number of reasons. One is to see what Jones, who in many ways set this literature going, thinks of where it has gone. Another is for a masterly demonstration of how understanding historical developments can shape our understanding of current policy dilemmas. . . . The essays presented here are enough to see why Jones is viewed as one of the most original and penetrating students of economic growth writing today.’
– Timothy W. Guinnane, Journal of Economic Literature
‘This book makes for a provocative read, raising important questions for all who are interested in questions of contemporary economic development . . . Overall, Jones’ most recent book represents an important contribution to the literature on the role of institutional design in economic growth and development and the contribution which economic history can make in furthering our understanding of some of the key forces underlying the process of economic growth.’
– Morris Altman, EH.Net
‘At last we have a book on contemporary global economic issues written by a leading authority on the history of the world economy. Building on his earlier classics – The European Miracle and Growth Recurring – Eric Jones examines the fundamental factors driving long-run economic growth. Exposing platitudes and political correctness, Jones delivers his own hard-headed verdict on a range of topical global issues, including sustainability, linguistic diversity and the contribution of “Asian values” to economic growth. Scholars seeking a fresh perspective on global issues cannot do better than consult this important and provocative book.’
– Mark Casson, University of Reading, UK
‘Eric Jones is one of the most original and interesting economic historians of our age. In this wide-ranging and eclectic book, he shows us his erudition and thoughtfulness at his best. His sparkling style and breadth of learning make for an idiosyncratic personal approach to long-run economic change on a global scale. This book is a must for anyone interested in the larger economic issues of our time.’
– Joel Mokyr, Northwestern University, US
‘The Record of Global Economic Development comprises 12 chapters on the histories of Europe, Asia and Australia, and offers a lively and persuasive interpretation of world economic history. Eric Jones’s new synthesis of global history, based on the wealth of historical research and a critical insight into the economic, political, environmental and cultural issues of our time with occasional epigrams, is an important work that should be read by historians and economists alike.’
– Minoru Yasumoto, Komazawa University, Tokyo, Japan
‘This work is based on the in-depth study not only of Europe but also of Asia, providing excellent perspectives on the economic development of various regions in the world. It provides students across a range of disciplines with a fruitful forum for discussion of the West and the East.’
– Kiyoshi Sakamaki, Tohoku University, Japan
– Stuart Jones, The South African Journal of Economic History
‘The volume is a fascinating read because disparate topics on social and economic change are linked by this consistent theme.’
– David Robertson, Policy
‘The Record of Global Economic Development is an impressive work, rich with ideas and breathtaking in scope. Its knowledgeable and seemingly effortless coverage of a wide variety of subjects alone is a mark of the imposing scholarship embodied in it. It deserves to be widely read.’
– Gary B. Magee, Economic Record
‘This is an ambitious book by one of the world’s leading economic historians.’
– Russell Smyth, Economic Analysis and Policy
‘Jones should be applauded not only for his ambition but also for his courage and achievement. His books are major contributions to our understanding of the vitally important question of long-run growth.’
– Forrest Capie, History: The Journal of the Historical Association
‘Historians should read the book to widen the horizons of their work and learn more of the relevant economic and social theory behind long-term evolution when dealing with dynamic social evolution, and all others should do so for the sheer pleasure of reading an instructive, well-argued and beautifully produced book!’
– Wolfgang Kasper, Australian Economic History Review
‘Scholars of economic growth will want to read the chapters on growth for a number of reasons. One is to see what Jones, who in many ways set this literature going, thinks of where it has gone. Another is for a masterly demonstration of how understanding historical developments can shape our understanding of current policy dilemmas. . . . The essays presented here are enough to see why Jones is viewed as one of the most original and penetrating students of economic growth writing today.’
– Timothy W. Guinnane, Journal of Economic Literature
‘This book makes for a provocative read, raising important questions for all who are interested in questions of contemporary economic development . . . Overall, Jones’ most recent book represents an important contribution to the literature on the role of institutional design in economic growth and development and the contribution which economic history can make in furthering our understanding of some of the key forces underlying the process of economic growth.’
– Morris Altman, EH.Net
‘At last we have a book on contemporary global economic issues written by a leading authority on the history of the world economy. Building on his earlier classics – The European Miracle and Growth Recurring – Eric Jones examines the fundamental factors driving long-run economic growth. Exposing platitudes and political correctness, Jones delivers his own hard-headed verdict on a range of topical global issues, including sustainability, linguistic diversity and the contribution of “Asian values” to economic growth. Scholars seeking a fresh perspective on global issues cannot do better than consult this important and provocative book.’
– Mark Casson, University of Reading, UK
‘Eric Jones is one of the most original and interesting economic historians of our age. In this wide-ranging and eclectic book, he shows us his erudition and thoughtfulness at his best. His sparkling style and breadth of learning make for an idiosyncratic personal approach to long-run economic change on a global scale. This book is a must for anyone interested in the larger economic issues of our time.’
– Joel Mokyr, Northwestern University, US
‘The Record of Global Economic Development comprises 12 chapters on the histories of Europe, Asia and Australia, and offers a lively and persuasive interpretation of world economic history. Eric Jones’s new synthesis of global history, based on the wealth of historical research and a critical insight into the economic, political, environmental and cultural issues of our time with occasional epigrams, is an important work that should be read by historians and economists alike.’
– Minoru Yasumoto, Komazawa University, Tokyo, Japan
‘This work is based on the in-depth study not only of Europe but also of Asia, providing excellent perspectives on the economic development of various regions in the world. It provides students across a range of disciplines with a fruitful forum for discussion of the West and the East.’
– Kiyoshi Sakamaki, Tohoku University, Japan
Contents
Contents: Preface Part I: Long-Term Economic Development 1. Very Long-term Economic Growth and its Implications 2. Environment, State and Economic Development in the History of Europe and Asia 3. The European Miracle and its Relevance 4. World Agriculture in the Very Long Term Part II: Protectionism 5. Multifunctionality: The Experience of English Farming 6. The Costs of Language Diversity Part III: East Asian Development 7. The Ultimate Significance of East Asian Development 8. The East Asian Crisis in Context 9. ‘Asian Values’ and Cultural Explanations of Economic Change Part IV: Adjusting to Global Change 10. Making Business Competitive: The Australian Experience 11. The Case for Supermarkets: The Australian Experience 12. Global Integration and Global Prospects Bibliography Index