The New Comparative Economic History: Essays in Honor of Jeffrey G. Williamson (MIT Press)

Essays by internationally prominent economists examine long run cross-country economic trends from the perspective of New Comparative Economic History, an approach pioneered by Harvard economist Jeffrey G. Williamson. The innovative approach to economic history known as the New Comparative Economic History represents a distinct change in the way that many economic historians view their role, do their work, and interact with the broader economics profession. The New Comparative Economic History reflects a belief that economic processes can best be understood by systematically comparing experiences across time, regions, and, above all, countries. It is motivated by current questions that are not nation specific--the sources of economic growth, the importance of institutions, and the impact of globalization--and focuses on long-run trends rather than short-run ups and downs in economic activity. The essays in this volume offer a New Economic Comparative History perspective on a range of topics and are written in honor of Jeffrey G. Williamson, the most distinguished and influential scholar in the field. The contributors, prominent American and European economists, consider such topics as migration, education, and wage convergence; democracy and protectionism in the nineteenth century; trade and immigration policies in labor-scarce economies; and the effect of institutions on European productivity and jobs. Essays By Internationally Prominent Economists Examine Long Run Cross-country Economic Trends From The Perspective Of New Comparative Economic History, An Approach Pioneered By Harvard Economist Jeffrey G. Williamson. Introduction : The New Comparative Economic History / Timothy J. Hatton, Kevin H. O'rourke, And Alan M. Taylor -- India In The Great Divergence / Robert C. Allen -- What Made Britannia Great? How Much Of The Rise Of Britain To World Dominance By 1850 Does The Industrial Revolution Explain? / Gregory Clark -- Did European Commodity Prices Converge During 1500-1800? / Süleyman Özmucur And Şevket Pamuk -- Market Integration And Convergence In The World Wheat Market, 1800-2000 / Giovanni Federico And Karl Gunnar Persson -- Biological Globalization : The Other Grain Invasion / Alan L. Olmstead And Paul W. Rhode -- Other People's Money : The Evolution Of Bank Capital In The Industrialized World / Richard S. Grossman -- Education, Migration, And Regional Wage Convergence In U.s. History / William J. Collins -- Democracy And Protectionism / Kevin H. O'rourke And Alan M. Taylor -- A Dual Policy Paradox : Why Have Trade And Immigration Policies Always Differed In Labor-scarce Economies? / Timothy J. Hatton And Jeffrey G. Williamson -- Breaking The Fetters : Why Did Countries Exit The Interwar Gold Standard? / Holger C. Wolf And Tarik M. Yousef -- Were Jews Political Refugees Or Economic Migrants? Assessing The Persecution Theory Of Jewish Emigration, 1881-1914 / Leah Platt Boustan -- Inequality And Poverty In Latin America : A Long-run Exploration / Leandro Prados De La Escosura -- The Convergence Of Living Standards In The Atlantic Economy, 1870-1930 / George R. Boyer -- You Take The High Road And I'll Take The Low Road : Economic Success And Well-being In The Longer Run / Cormac Ó Gráda -- Euro-productivity And Euro-jobs Since The 1960s : Which Institutions Really Mattered? / Gayle J. Allard And Peter H. Lindert -- Afterword / Lawrence H. Summers. Edited By Timothy J. Hatton, Kevin H. O'rourke, And Alan M. Taylor. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.