1st Edition

Freedom and Growth The Rise of States and Markets in Europe, 1300-1750

By Stephan R Epstein Copyright 2000
    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    In discussions on European pre-modern economic growth, the role of individual freedom and of the state has loomed large. This book examines whether different kinds of 'freedoms' (absolutist, parliamentary and republican) caused different economic outcomes, and shows the effect of different political regimes on long term development. It thus offers new answers to debates on the transition from feudalism to capitalism and on the causes of pre-industrial growth and divergence.

    List of figures, List of tables, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations, 1 Introduction: states and markets, 2 Freedom, freedoms and growth, 3 The late medieval crisis as an ‘integration crisis’, 4 States and fairs, 5 Cities and the rise of Italian territorial states, 6 The origins of protoindustry, c.1300–c.1550, 7 Markets and states, c.1300–c.1550, 8 Conclusion, Bibliography, Index

    Biography

    S.R. Epstein