Pomeranz, Kenneth

In a series of brief, readable vignettes, the authors bring to life international trade and its actors--merchants and bankers, pirates and privateers, sailors and slaves, traders and tree tappers. In the process they make clear that the seemingly modern concept of economic globalization has deep historical roots. This third edition includes new selections of African cocoa, silver and gold in Brazil and Mexico, the Rothschilds, the rise of Panama as a financial center, the transition from coal to oil, fair trade laws, and the expansion of offshore manufacturing since World War II.

Uses brief case studies connected to seven central topics to discuss the history and creation of the world economy.

The great divergence brings new insight to one of the classic questions of history: Why did sustained industrial growth begin in Northwest Europe, despite surprising similarities between advanced areas of Europe and East Asia? Kenneth Pomeranz shows, as recently as 1750, parallels between these two parts of the world in life expectancy, consumption, product and factor markets, the strategies of households, and perhaps most surprisingly, ecology.

Presents over seventy vignettes that provide historical perspectives on aspects of the world economy, discussing the world economy before European domination, the origins of international standards and practices, the nature and consequences of industrialization and deindustrialization, and other topics.

Presents over seventy vignettes that provide historical perspectives on aspects of the world economy, discussing the world economy before European domination, the origins of international standards and practices, the nature and consequences of industrialization and deindustrialization, and other topics.