Global Economic History
A Very Short Introduction
2nd Edition
Published on 23. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-19-892183-7 (ISBN)
Description
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
Why are some countries rich, and some poor? Does this status persist throughout time, and if so, why? How can a country escape poverty?
In this Very Short Introduction, Robert C. Allen explores the interplay of geography, globalization, technological change, economic policy, and institutions, to show how they have determined the wealth and poverty of nations around the world. Using historical examples to analyse the factors that have influenced growth, he exposes what has caused the unequal world we live in today, focusing on recent changes in equality and world economic disruption.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Why are some countries rich, and some poor? Does this status persist throughout time, and if so, why? How can a country escape poverty?
In this Very Short Introduction, Robert C. Allen explores the interplay of geography, globalization, technological change, economic policy, and institutions, to show how they have determined the wealth and poverty of nations around the world. Using historical examples to analyse the factors that have influenced growth, he exposes what has caused the unequal world we live in today, focusing on recent changes in equality and world economic disruption.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
More details
Series
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
19 black and white figures
Dimensions
Height: 174 mm
Width: 115 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
171 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-892183-7 (9780198921837)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Book
09/2011
1st Edition
Oxford University Press
€12.39
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Robert C. Allen is Global Distinguished Professor of Economic History at New York University, Abu Dhabi, and a Senior Research Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford. His books include Enclosure and the Yeoman: The Agricultural Development of the South Midlands, 1450-1850 (2009), and Farm to Factory: A Re-interpretation of the Soviet Industrial Revolution (2003).
Content
1: The great divergence 2: The rise of the West 3: The Industrial Revolution 4: The ascent of the rich 5: The great empires 6: The Americas 7: Africa 8: The standard model and late industrialization 9: Big Push industrialization