Patterns of European Industrialization: The Nineteenth Century

Interest in the historical development of the European economy has been heightened by the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the approach of 1992 in the European Community. Is the economic history of Europe that of an integrated economy or of many separate economies? This volume illustrates the changes in our understanding of Europe's 19th century economic development that have taken place in the last quarter of a century. Alexander Gerschenkron's interpretation of European industrialization is a starting point for each of the chapters. His "grand synthesis" has been challenged by a number of later writers, but a new one has not emerged to replace it, despite the analytical opportunities such a synthesis might offer. The contributors to this volume present and discuss the latest research findings in their fields. One group of chapters is organized thematically, whilst another set looks at recent interpretations of the modernization experiences of the key nations. This book should be of interest to lecturers and students of economic history, economics, history and European studies.