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Finding a common economic pathway

In: A History of the Global Economy

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Abstract

The first two chapters of Part I introduce the main themes of this history, tracing the economic activity of Homo sapiens from origins to the present. Any such economic history should have at its centre the universality of innovativeness. Innovativeness changed the structure of the economy, from a predominance of foraging to in turn that of agriculture, industry and services. As a result, all societies move along a common economic pathway through four phases – foraging, agriculture, industry and services – with sub-phases of urbanisation and commercialisation during the agricultural phase. Specific innovations initiate phase entry and movement within a phase. By periodising human history, the phases provide a structure for the book. This chapter asserts the existence of two historical laws: first, in similar conditions, faced with a similar problem, humans devise a similar solution; secondly, that they seek out variety, where it is feasible. There is both independent innovation and imitation of best practice.

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  • ., 2018. "Finding a common economic pathway," Chapters, in: A History of the Global Economy, chapter 1, pages 10-21, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:18481_1
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    Cited by:

    1. Wohlrabe, Klaus & Rathje, Ann-Christin & Garnitz, Johanna, 2019. "Wirtschaftspolitik für eine starke EU: Jahresmonitor der Stiftung Familienunternehmen," Studien, Stiftung Familienunternehmen / Foundation for Family Businesses, number 250009.
    2. Saleh Aljadeeah & Veronika J. Wirtz & Eckhard Nagel, 2021. "Correction: Aljadeeah, S., et al. Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18 , 519," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-2, March.

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    Keywords

    Development Studies; Economics and Finance;

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