371 73 19MB
English Pages [212] Year 2001
This major contribution to economic history is the most impressive nd convincing attempt I know to apply the concept of the 'long waves', basic rhythm of historical development in the era of capitalism, to the ntire stretch from eighteenth-century Lancashire to twenty-first-century ilicon Valley.' Eric Hobsbawm FBA, American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Emeritus Professor of Social and Economic History, Birkbeck College; Author of The Age of Extremes.The Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991
· ... This book is testimony to knowledge and good sense. Such virtues are rare and that much more valuable.' David Landes, Professor of History and Economics, Harvard University, Emeritus; Author of The Wealth and Poverty of Nations
How can we best understand the impact of revolutionary technologies on the business cycle, the economy, and society' Why is economics meaningless without history and without an understanding of institutional and technical change' Does the 'new economy' mean the 'end of history'? These are some of the questions addressed in this authoritative analysis of modern economic growth from the Industrial Revolution to the 'New Economy' of today. Chris Freeman and his colleague Francisco Lou,a chart the history of five technological revolutions: water-powered mechanization, steam-powered mechanization, electrification, motorization, and computerization. They demonstrate the necessity to take account of politics, culture, organizational change, and entrepreneurship, as well as science and technology in the analysis of economic growth.
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This is a well-informed, highly topical, and persuasive study of interest across all the social sciences.
Chris Freeman is Emeritus Professor at the University of Sussex and was the founder and former Director of SPRU (1966-81). Francisco Lou,a is Professor of Economics at ISEG, Lisbon.
ISBN 0-19-925105-3
OXFORD t:'.\'[\'ERS!TY PRESS
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9 78D199 251056
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In ustrial Revolutions to n Revolution
As Time Goes By From the Industrial Revolutions to the Information Revolution
CHRIS FREEMAN AND FRANCISCO LOU