RC

Pomeranz2000

Title: The Great Divergence: China, Europe, and the Making of the Modern World Economy

Author: Kenneth Pomeranz

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Overview

  • The book explores the economic history of China and Europe, particularly focusing on how and why Europe industrialized before China.

  • It critiques the Eurocentric narrative of economic development and emphasizes cross-regional comparisons.

Key Themes

The Great Divergence

  • Concept of the Great Divergence refers to the economic differences that emerged between Europe and Asia in the 19th century.

  • Challenges the traditional view that Europe's development was due solely to internal factors.

Methodology

  • Utilizes comparative analysis between regions, focusing on the social, economic, and environmental factors that shaped different developmental paths.

  • Emphasizes reciprocal comparisons to better understand the dynamics of growth in both Europe and Asia.

Acknowledgments

  • Acknowledges the contributions of various scholars and institutions that supported the research and writing process.

Introduction

Comparing Development Paths

  • No consensus exists on why Europe became economically unique by the mid-19th century.

  • Significant focus on demographic factors, ecology, and capital accumulation.

  • Initial arguments were centered on Europe's early start in mechanized industry and its demographic patterns.

Critiques of Eurocentrism

  • Critiques the Eurocentric narratives that focus solely on internal European explanations for economic growth.

  • Highlights the importance of external factors and global interactions in shaping economic outcomes.

Contents

Part One: A World of Surprising Resemblances

  • Discusses the similarities between Europe and Asia before significant divergences occurred.

  • Analyzes population growth, capital accumulation, and technological developments.

Chapter 1: Europe Before Asia?

  • Challenges the argument that Europe had significant capital advantages before 1800.

  • Presents evidence that Asian societies like China had comparable, if not superior, technologies and living standards.

  • Discusses various factors, such as agricultural practices and land management, which affected economic productivity.

Chapter 2: Market Economies in Europe and Asia

  • Explores how market structures and dynamics were developed in both regions.

  • Assesses land markets, labor systems, and the effects of migration on economic development.

Part Two: From New Ethos to New Economy?

  • Investigates luxury consumption and the emergence of capitalist economies within the contexts of both Europe and Asia.

  • Discusses how consumer demand influenced production and economic growth patterns.

Chapter 3: Luxury Consumption and Capitalism

  • Examines luxury markets and consumer behavior in early modern societies.

  • Analyses the impact of colonialism and global trade on regional economies.

Part Three: Beyond Smith and Malthus

  • Compares ecological constraints faced by Europe and Asia and their implications for sustained growth.

  • Explores the importance of energy sources, such as coal, and how they influenced industrial development.

Conclusion

  • Emphasizes the need for a more inclusive story of economic development that incorporates cross-regional factors.

  • Calls for further research into how different cultures and economies interacted, shaped, and influenced one another over time.

Appendix

  • Offers comparative estimates of land transport capacity, agricultural yields, and other relevant data to support the arguments made in the book.

References

  • Includes bibliographical references to support the research presented throughout the text.