Contours of the World Economy 1-2030 AD: Essays in Macro-Economic History

Angus Maddison

Sep 2007 · OUP Oxford

About this ebook

This book seeks to identify the forces which explain how and why some parts of the world have grown rich and others have lagged behind. Encompassing 2000 years of history, part 1 begins with the Roman Empire and explores the key factors that have influenced economic development in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Part 2 covers the development of macroeconomic tools of analysis from the 17th century to the present. Part 3 looks to the future and considers what the shape of the world economy might be in 2030. Combining both the close quantitative analysis for which Professor Maddison is famous with a more qualitative approach that takes into account the complexity of the forces at work, this book provides students and all interested readers with a totally fascinating overview of world economic history. Professor Maddison has the unique ability to synthesise vast amounts of information into a clear narrative flow that entertains as well as informs, making this text an invaluable resource for all students and scholars, and anyone interested in trying to understand why some parts of the World are so much richer than others.

About the author

Angus Maddison was Emeritus Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Groningen. Known for his pioneering work in the field of the quantification of economic growth in the global and historic perspective, Professor Maddison enjoyed a varied career. He held a number of positions at St. Andrews University, Johns Hopkins University, MacGill University, the OECD, and Harvard University. He also acted as a policy advisor for a number of institutions and advised the governments of Ghana and Pakistan. Prof. Maddison was recently awarded the title of Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau in the Netherlands.