History & Area Studies / Thematic History / Economic History & Industrialization
Why the Industrial Revolution Didn't Start When You Think (1209-2004)
Gregory Clark's groundbreaking 2005 study in the Journal of Political Economy shatters the myth that the Industrial Revolution began in the 1760s. By analyzing building workers' wages from 1209 to 2004, Clark reveals that modern economic growth actually started around 1640—over a century before the classic Industrial Revolution. He finds that workers' living standards improved far more than previously thought, with real wages surging 82% from the 1770s to 1860s. But here's the twist: skill premiums fell while literacy rose, challenging standard economic theories. Clark also debunks the idea that democratic institutions like the Glorious Revolution caused growth—productivity gains predated them. This isn't just history; it's a radical rethinking of how economies escape stagnation. Watch to see why your textbook was wrong.
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