The Cambridge History of Capitalism: Volume 1, The Rise of Capitalism: From Ancient Origins to 1848

Volume 1 of a definitive two-volume reference tracing the rise and development of capitalism from ancient to modern times.

Larry Neal (Edited by), Jeffrey G. Williamson (Edited by)

9781107583283, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 September 2015

630 pages, 28 b/w illus. 5 maps 13 tables
22.9 x 15.3 x 2.8 cm, 1.09 kg

Review of the set: 'The editors deserve praise for assembling such a diverse and distinguished group of authors while maintaining coherence and cross-referencing across chapters … the two volumes make a strong case that economic history as currently practiced is essential for an understanding of capitalism and its history.' David Mitch, EH.Net

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 ?evket 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.

Subject Areas: Economic history [KCZ], Political economy [KCP], Economics [KC]