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European Economic History Economics 343:01 Professor Eugene N. White Fall 2010

This course explores the factors and conditions that contribute to long-term economic growth and success in European countries. Topics include GDP, income distribution, quality of life, and the role of institutions, technology, and government.

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European Economic History Economics 343:01 Professor Eugene N. White Fall 2010

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  1. European Economic HistoryEconomics 343:01Professor Eugene N. WhiteFall 2010

  2. Lecture 1Why is this course important? • We are going to examine the central question of long-term economic growth: Why do some countries/economies “succeed.” • Why did some countries first escape poverty? • Why did/have some countries gain sustained economic growth and rising standards of living? • What are the policies or conditions that encourage economic growth? • Can rapid growth be taken for granted? • Focus on Western Europe—source of modern growth

  3. Measuring Modern Growth (Success) • GDP • Total Real Output/Annual real growth (Who is #1? #2? #3?.....) • Real Output per capita/Real growth per capita • Distribution of Income and Wealth • Quality of Life (affected by distribution, pollution, environment) • Life Expectancy • Infant Mortality • Height • Literacy

  4. China Passes Japan as Second-Largest Economy SHANGHAI — After three decades of spectacular growth, China passed Japan in the second quarter to become the world’s second-largest economy behind the United States, according to government figures released early Monday.The recognition came early Monday, when Tokyo said that Japan’s economy was valued at about $1.28 trillion in the second quarter, slightly below China’s $1.33 trillion. Japan’s economy grew 0.4 percent in the quarter, Tokyo said, substantially less than forecast. That weakness suggests that China’s economy will race past Japan’s for the full year. Experts say unseating Japan — and in recent years passing Germany, France and Great Britain — underscores China’s growing clout and bolsters forecasts that China will pass the United States as the world’s biggest economy as early as 2030. America’s gross domestic product was about $14 trillion in 2009. China is everyone’s mind…NYTimes 8/16/2010

  5. The Big Picture in One Slide! Third Industrial Revolution Second Industrial Revolution First Industrial Revolution $425 2003: Haiti $740, Burundi $477, Afghanistan $668, Zaire $212

  6. PULLING AWAY FROM THE PACK?

  7. More Details

  8. Another way to look at the facts

  9. So!……Why do some countries succeed? Many candidates. • Culture/Religion • Natural Resources • Climate (Geography) • Genetics • Political-Economic Regime • A Lot to Sort Out!

  10. One Suggestive ComparisonSouth Korea and North Korea • Culture/Religion • Natural Resources • Climate (Geography) • Genetics • Political-Economic Regime

  11. Or, electric lights from a satellite

  12. What is Western Europe?

  13. Economic Growth? • The basic model • Y = f (K, L, N) • We will cover period 1200 to present. • Huge Change---Institutions and Markets---Both Essential for Growth

  14. Some Big Issues • How do economies make the transition from stationary to growth economies? What is the role of institutions and government? • What is the role of technology? Can technological change be promoted? • What is the role of industrialization? What effects does it have on the standards of living and on the distribution of income and wealth? What is the proper role of government? • How did the modern state arise? What are its effects on growth? • How did financial markets arise---what do they contribute to growth?

  15. Some Big Issues • What is the role of market integration? Nationally? Internationally? Exports/Imports? Globalization? • What monetary/exchange rate regime should be adopted? (gold or paper money standard /fixed or floating exchange rate). • Can depressions/financial crises be avoided? • Why did the “nation-state” flourish, then begin to retreat in Europe? • Why did the Europeans feel that a European Union was needed? • How successful is the EU? What are its prospects?

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