The Debate on British Exceptionalism: An Introduction

Haris Kitsikopoulos () and Joshua L. Rosenbloom ()
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Joshua L. Rosenbloom: Iowa State University, Ames, IA and NBER

A chapter in The First Industrial Revolution and Global Divergence, 2026, pp 1-32 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The introductory essay outlines global growth patterns, contrasting pre-Industrial stagnation with post-Revolution dynamism, and examines Europe’s and Eurasia’s trajectories to highlight the Little and Great Divergences. Its main goal is to review theories explaining Britain’s technological breakthroughs. These include: (1) Links between colonial trade and the Industrious Revolution (de Vries); (2) Institutional innovations and secure property rights fostering capitalism and resource exploitation (North, Landes); (3) Religious tolerance and openness to Scientific Revolution methods, adding contingency (Goldstone); (4) British exceptionalism in creativity and skills (Mokyr, Jacob); and (5) Relative factor prices—high wages and cheap energy (Allen). The essay also addresses criticisms of these interpretations.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-26359-9_1

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