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The First Knowledge Economy

Human Capital and the European Economy, 1750–1850

Margaret C Jacob author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:9th Jan '14

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The First Knowledge Economy cover

Provocative new account of the importance of knowledge to the economic transformation of western Europe during the Industrial Revolution.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution debate has raged about the sources of the new western prosperity. Margaret Jacob here argues persuasively for the critical importance of knowledge in western Europe's economic transformation. This is a history of economic development in which culture, minds, books and education become central.Ever since the Industrial Revolution debate has raged about the sources of the new, sustained western prosperity. Margaret Jacob here argues persuasively for the critical importance of knowledge in Europe's economic transformation during the period from 1750 to 1850, first in Britain and then in selected parts of northern and western Europe. This is a new history of economic development in which minds, books, lectures and education become central. She shows how, armed with knowledge and know-how and inspired by the desire to get rich, entrepreneurs emerged within an industrial culture wedded to scientific knowledge and technology. She charts how, across a series of industries and nations, innovative engineers and entrepreneurs sought to make sense and a profit out of the world around them. Skilled hands matched minds steeped in the knowledge systems new to the eighteenth century to transform the economic destiny of western Europe.

'… there is every reason to recommend this book and over its Jacob predecessors and indeed to delight in the research it contains. This is undoubtedly part of the story of industrialization.' Pat Hudson, The Journal of Modern History
'A significant strength is the elimination of economic determinism and the inclusion of knowledge of science into the public equation. Jacob's coherent argument, premised on solid evidence … unequivocally shows that the first knowledge economy in the world emerged in parallel with the Industrial Revolution.' Fedir V. Razumenko, Canadian Journal of History
'This is a compact and tightly argued book, at its best when refuting Robert Allen's claim that coal and high wages gave Great Britain its edge (see Robert Allen, Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective [Cambridge, 2009]). It is also a provocative read, liable to raise more questions than it answers.' Lissa Roberts, Isis

ISBN: 9781107044012

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 19mm

Weight: 560g

268 pages