The Cambridge History of Capitalism: Volume 1 (The Cambridge History of Capitalism 2 Volume Hardback Set)

Cambridge University Press, 1/23/2014
EAN 9781107019638, ISBN10: 110701963X

Hardcover, 628 pages, 22.8 x 15.2 x 3 cm
Language: English

The first volume of The Cambridge History of Capitalism provides a comprehensive account of the evolution of capitalism from its earliest beginnings. Starting with its distant origins in ancient Babylon, successive chapters trace progression up to the 'Promised Land' of capitalism in America. Adopting a wide geographical coverage and comparative perspective, the international team of authors discuss the contributions of Greek, Roman, and Asian civilizations to the development of capitalism, as well as the Chinese, Indian and Arab empires. They determine what features of modern capitalism were present at each time and place, and why the various precursors of capitalism did not survive. Looking at the eventual success of medieval Europe and the examples of city-states in northern Italy and the Low Countries, the authors address how British mercantilism led to European imitations and American successes, and ultimately, how capitalism became global.

1. Introduction Larry Neal
2. Babylonia in the first millennium BC - economic growth in times of empire Michael Jursa
3. Capitalism and the ancient Greek economy Alain Bresson
4. Re-constructing the Roman economy Willem M. Jongman
5. Trans-Asian trade, or the Silk Road deconstructed (Antiquity, Middle Ages) Étienne de la Vaissière
6. China before capitalism R. Bin Wong
7. Capitalism in India in the very long run Tirthankar Roy
8. Institutional change and economic development in the Middle East, 700–1800 Şevket Pamuk
9. Markets and coercion in medieval Europe Karl Gunnar Persson
10. The Via Italiana to capitalism Luciano Pezzolo
11. The Low Countries Oscar Gelderblom and Joost Jonker
12. The formation of states and transitions to modern economies
England, Europe and Asia compared Patrick Karl O'Brien
13. Pre-Columbian and Iberian America Richard Salvucci
14. The emergence of African capitalism Morten Jerven
15. Native Americans and exchange
strategies and interactions before 1800 Ann M. Carlos and Frank D. Lewis
16. British and European industrialization C. Knick Harley
17. America
capitalism's promised land Jeremy Atack
18. The political economy of rising capitalism José Luís Cardoso
Index.

'In many respects the history of capitalism is the history most relevant to our times. It's a huge story and is well told in this very important book.' Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University

The two editors of The Cambridge History of Capitalism have done an excellent job in assembling an all-star group of scholars in presenting first-rate essays dealing with the development and accomplishments of capitalism and the important impacts of national and international markets for labor, capital, and goods throughout the world. These studies range in time from ancient Babylonia to today. All essays are superbly researched and highly informative in detailing the contributions of markets and of capitalism to global political and economic development.' Stanley Engerman, University of Rochester, New York

'This is a book we have been waiting for: an authoritative analysis of the rise and development of global capitalism, inspired by the great classical economists and written by a team of excellent experts in the field. A fine update of our knowledge about one of the big questions in the social sciences.' Jan Luiten van Zanden, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands

'… an inestimable contribution.' Oxford Today