An Economic History of Europe
Knowledge, Institutions and Welfare, Prehistory to the Present
3rd Edition
Published on 2. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
334 pages
978-1-009-61400-9 (ISBN)
Description
In this revised and updated edition, An Economic History of Europe re-establishes itself as the leading textbook on European economic history. With an expanded scope, from prehistory to the present, it will be invaluable source for students, educators and researchers seeking to better understand Europe's long-run economic development. The authors cover key themes including the rise of institutions, technological advancements, globalization, and the Industrial Revolution, with a fresh emphasis on the wider impact of economic policies on welfare reflecting a broader understanding of societal well-being. The chronological structure, clear explanations, case studies, and minimal use of complex mathematics make this an accessible approach that allows students to apply economic theories in historical practice. The new edition also connects historical development to urgent contemporary issues such as modern-day sustainability goals. This comprehensive guide provides students with both a historical narrative of Europe's economic transformation, and the essential tools for analysing it.
Reviews / Votes
'An Economic History of Europe is a must-read for anyone curious about long-run economic development. It breaks down key topics clearly, with great structure and helpful reading suggestions. Engaging, insightful, and highly recommended!' Kerstin Enflo, Lund University 'Textbook writers are easily mired in Europe's long and complicated economic history but here the story is told with flair. Persson, Sharp and Lampe cover Neolithic times to the post-COVID pandemic, using concepts and theories from economics and citing a range of diverse evidence. Economic history emerges as relevant and exciting.' Jane Humphries, Oxford University 'A most welcome revision of the leading text for teaching the Economic History of Europe. By beginning its story deeper in the past, and broadening its scope to encompass multiple dimensions of human welfare, while also adding timely research on sustainability, it speaks to the questions our students are asking now about Europe's place in the global economy.' Anne McCants, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 'This third edition of an already classic textbook is extremely welcome, incorporating as it does a wealth of new material. Teachers and students looking for a concise and readable introduction to the economic history of Europe need look no further.' Kevin O'Rourke, CNRS and Sciences Po, ParisMore details
Series
Edition
3rd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 4 Maps; 36 Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 170 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
581 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-61400-9 (9781009614009)
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
Additional editions
Karl Gunnar Persson | Paul Sharp | Markus Lampe
An Economic History of Europe
Knowledge, Institutions and Welfare, Prehistory to the Present
Book
10/2025
3rd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€131.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Previous edition
Karl Gunnar Persson | Paul Sharp
An Economic History of Europe
Knowledge, Institutions and Growth, 600 to the Present
Book
03/2015
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€47.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Karl Gunnar Persson was Emeritus Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen and taught comparative economic history and globalization studies over five decades. His works include Pre-Industrial Economic Growth (1988) and Grain Markets in Europe, 1500-1900 (2000). Paul Sharp is a professor of economics at the University of Southern Denmark and an editor for academic journals such as the Scandinavian Economic History Review. He is the co-author of A Land of Milk and Butter: How Elites Created the Modern Danish Dairy Industry (2019). Markus Lampe is professor of economic and social history at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. He is the co-author of A Land of Milk and Butter: How Elites Created the Modern Danish Dairy Industry (2019).
Content
Introduction; 1. The making of Europe; 2. Europe from obscurity to economic recovery; 3. Population and resource constraints; 4. The nature and extent of economic growth in the pre-industrial epoch; 5. Institutions and efficiency; 6. Knowledge, technology transfer and convergence; 7. Money, credit and banking; 8. Trade and globalization; 9. Factor markets and globalization; 10. What (should) governments do; 11. Inequalities between individuals, households and nations; Appendix; Glossary.