Description
Book SynopsisTo what extent has the British economy declined compared to its competitors and what are the underlying reasons for this decline? Nicholas Crafts, one of the world's foremost economic historians, tackles these questions in a major new account of Britain's long-run economic performance.
Trade Review'A magisterial bird's eye interpretation of the vast and complex literature on British economic performance since the Industrial Revolution till the present day. Only a scholar of Crafts's learning and wisdom could have accomplished so much in a short book.' Joel Mokyr, author of The Enlightened Economy: an Economic history of Britain, 1700–1850
'Really superb - a magnificent achievement. It is difficult to find a more readable history of British economic growth from early industrialization until the present digital revolution. Crafts' book will be read by anyone interested in the interrelationship between economic performance and institutional legacies and government policies. His main conclusions represent an original voice that provides important lessons for the post-Brexit era.' Herman de Jong, University of Groningen
'Essential reading on the UK experience of economic growth from Industrial Revolution to the recent financial crisis. A synthesis of the latest empirical research across a broad range of disciplines assessed through the framework of modern economics, this book identifies long-standing deficiencies in the operation of the economy, and shows 'history matters'.' Sara Horrell, University of Cambridge
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. The first Industrial Revolution; 3. American overtaking; 4. The interwar years: onwards and downwards; 5. Falling behind in the Golden Age; 6. From the Golden Age to the financial crisis; 7. Concluding comments.
