Growing, Shrinking and Long Run Economic Performance: Historical Perspectives on Economic Development

Stephen Broadberry and John Wallis

No _154, Oxford Economic and Social History Working Papers from University of Oxford, Department of Economics

Abstract: Using annual data from the thirteenth century to the present, we show that improved long run economic performance has occurred primarily through a decline in the rate and frequency of shrinking, rather than through an increase in the rate of growing. Indeed, as economic performance has improved over time, the short run rate of growing has typically declined rather than increased. Most analysis of the process of economic development has hitherto focused on increasing the rate of growing. Here, we focus on understanding the forces making for a reduction in the rate of shrinking, drawing a distinction between proximate and ultimate factors. The main proximate factors considered are (1) structural change (2) technological change (3) demographic change and (4) the changing incidence of warfare. We conclude with a consideration of institutional change as the key ultimate factor behind the reduction in shrinking.

Date: 2017-04-24
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro, nep-his and nep-knm
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Related works:
Working Paper: Growing, Shrinking and Long Run Economic Performance: Historical Perspectives on Economic Development (2018)
Working Paper: Growing, Shrinking and Long Run Economic Performance: Historical Perspectives on Economic Development (2017)
Working Paper: Growing, Shrinking and Long Run Economic Performance: Historical Perspectives on Economic Development (2017)
Working Paper: Growing, Shrinking, and Long Run Economic Performance: Historical Perspectives on Economic Development (2017)
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