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Cities and Economic Development: From the Dawn of History to the Present
When and how were cities born? Does urbanization foster innovation and economic development? What was the level of urbanization in traditional societies? Did the Industrial Revolution facilitate urbanization? Has the growth of cities in the Third World been a handicap or an asset to economic development?
In this revised translation of De Jéricho à Mexico , Paul Bairoch seeks the answers to these questions and provides a comprehensive study of the evolution of the city and its relation to economic life. Bairoch examines the development of cities from the dawn of urbanization (Jericho) to the explosive growth of the contemporary Third World city. In particular, he defines the roles of agriculture and industrialization in the rise of cities.
"A hefty history, from the Neolithic onward. It's ambitious in scope and rich in subject, detailing urbanization and, of course, the links between cities and economies. Scholarly, accessible, and significant."— Newsday
"This book offers a path-breaking synthesis of the vast literature on the history of urbanization."—John C. Brown, Journal of Economic Literature
"One leaves this volume with the feeling of positions intelligently argued and related to the existing state of theory and knowledge. One also has the pleasure of reading a book unusually well-written. It will long both be a standard and stimulate new thought on the central issue of urban and economic growth."—Thomas A. Reiner, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
In this revised translation of De Jéricho à Mexico , Paul Bairoch seeks the answers to these questions and provides a comprehensive study of the evolution of the city and its relation to economic life. Bairoch examines the development of cities from the dawn of urbanization (Jericho) to the explosive growth of the contemporary Third World city. In particular, he defines the roles of agriculture and industrialization in the rise of cities.
"A hefty history, from the Neolithic onward. It's ambitious in scope and rich in subject, detailing urbanization and, of course, the links between cities and economies. Scholarly, accessible, and significant."— Newsday
"This book offers a path-breaking synthesis of the vast literature on the history of urbanization."—John C. Brown, Journal of Economic Literature
"One leaves this volume with the feeling of positions intelligently argued and related to the existing state of theory and knowledge. One also has the pleasure of reading a book unusually well-written. It will long both be a standard and stimulate new thought on the central issue of urban and economic growth."—Thomas A. Reiner, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
596 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
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About the author
Paul Bairoch
33 books11 followersOne of the great post-war economic historians who specialized in global economic history, urban history and historical demography. He published or co-authored more than two dozen books and 120 scholarly articles. More...
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 29, 2017
Albeit almost 30 years old, this book is still the landmark study when it comes to cities and their economic histories. The data from Bairoch and co-authors is still widely used in the social sciences (mostly Economics) up until today. The estimates extend upon Tertius Chandler's work from a few years earlier. Some of those numbers have shown to be wrong, but the overall pictures is still considered as being correct.
Bairoch first looks at ancient cities, then moves to Europe from 1000 on, and finally examines the so-called Third World in the third part.
The book is extremely dense with a lot of facts, hundreds of references and takes time to digest.
Essential reading for anyone who is interested in cities.
Bairoch first looks at ancient cities, then moves to Europe from 1000 on, and finally examines the so-called Third World in the third part.
The book is extremely dense with a lot of facts, hundreds of references and takes time to digest.
Essential reading for anyone who is interested in cities.
Displaying 1 of 1 review