Why was the Industrial Revolution successful at generating sustained growth? Some have argued that there was a fundamental change in the way that new technology was developed during this period, but evidence for this argument remains largely anecdotal. This paper provides direct quantitative...

"Using a combination of historical evidence and insights from modern economic theory, this book analyzes the consequences that broader economic changes-industrialization, globalization, the rising importance of education, and conscription-had upon a country committed to small and unobtrusive...