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Precocious Albion: a New Interpretation of the British Industrial Revolution

Author

Listed:
  • Morgan Kelly

    (University College Dublin)

  • Joel Mokyr

    (Northwestern University)

  • Cormac Ó Gráda

    (University College Dublin)

Abstract

Why was Britain the cradle of the Industrial Revolution? Answers vary: some focus on resource endowments, some on institutions, some on the role of empire. In this paper, we argue for the role of labour force quality or human capital. Instead of dwelling on mediocre schooling and literacy rates, we highlight instead the physical condition of the average British worker and his higher endowment of skills. These advantages meant that British workers were more productive and better paid than their Continental counterparts and better equipped to capitalize on the technological opportunities and challenges confronting them (This paper should be read in conjunction with WP13/12: Morgan Kelly, Joel Mokyr and Cormac Ó Gráda: 'Appendix to “Precocious Albion: a New Interpretation of the British Industrial Revolution”' September 2013).

Suggested Citation

  • Morgan Kelly & Joel Mokyr & Cormac Ó Gráda, 2013. "Precocious Albion: a New Interpretation of the British Industrial Revolution," Working Papers 201311, School of Economics, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucn:wpaper:201311
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    File URL: http://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/WP13_11.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industrial Revolution; Human Capital; Economic Growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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