January 27, 2009
Bosker Maarten, Buringh Eltjo and van Zanden Jan Luiten (2008) “From Baghdad to London. The dynamics of urban growth in Europe and the Arab world, 800-1800”, CEPR.



Introduction
In this article, the authors wonder how did Europe rose from insignificance to global domination from 800 to 1800, while the relative importance of the neighbouring Muslim regions decreased. They try to define the “preconditions for the genesis of the modern economic growth” (p.3) and to understand the roots of the European modernity. When did Europe and the Arab world diverge (p.4).? Read the rest of this entry »
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Africa, Asia, Early Modern, Economic History, Europe, Middle Ages, reading notes | Tagged: 1000s, 1100s, 1200s, 1300s, 1400s, 1500s, 1600s, 1700s, 1800s, 800s, 900s, Arab World, cities, economic development, Great Divergence, institutions, urban growth, urbanization |
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August 31, 2008
Durand Robert (2004) “L’or musulman et la formation du Royaume du Portugal” in Michaud Françoise (ed.) Les Relations des pays d’Islam avec le monde latin du milieu du Xe siècle au milieu du XIIIe siècle, Paris, Vuibert, 250-261.


Introduction
In the early 20th century, M. Lombard proposed the following thesis: the Muslim expansion triggered a major de-hoarding movement of the Sassanid and Byzantine gold reserve held in the newly conquered territories. According to R. Durand, a rather similar event may have followed the Almoravid and Almohad conquests of Spain. And it may have had a significant impact upon the formation of the Portuguese kingdom (p.250). Read the rest of this entry »
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Economic History, Europe, Middle Ages, reading notes | Tagged: 1000s, 1100s, 1200s, Al-Andalus, Almohads, Islam, money, Portugal, state-making |
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Posted by Ben
February 17, 2008
Goiten Shelomo Dov (1964) “Le commerce méditerranéen avant les croisades. Quelques faits et problèmes”, reproduced in Micheau Françoise (ed.) Les relations des pays d’Islam avec le monde latin du milieu du Xe siècle au milieu du XIIIe siècle, Paris Vuibert, 2004, 286-303.

Introduction
Have the Crusadeds followed and used or preceded and triggered the first commercial long-standing relations between the Muslim parts of the Mediterranean world and the Western Christendom (286) ? The documents from the Cairo Geniza cast a new light on this issue (287). These documents reveal “the strong influence of Europe upon he islamic trade as early as the first decades of the 11th century, and even sooner”. Read the rest of this entry »
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Africa, Asia, Economic History, Europe, Middle Ages, reading notes | Tagged: 1000s, 1100s, 900s, company, Egypt, institutions, Jews, Mediterranean, Muslim world, trade, trade consul, Tunisia |
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Posted by Ben
January 27, 2008
Britnell Richard H. (2001) “Specialization of work in England, 1100-1300”, Economic History Review, 54/1, 1-16.



Introduction
The 12th and 13th centuries experienced growing population. The more people, the more likely it is that some will become specialized in an activity where they enjoy a comparative advantage (see Adam Smith). Persson has estimated that this led to a 0.1 to 0.25 yearly increase of productivity per caput in England over two centuries (i.e. between 22 and 62% for the whole period). But to what extend the period’s productivity gains are attributable to specialization? Read the rest of this entry »
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Economic History, Europe, Middle Ages, reading notes | Tagged: 1100s, 1200s, 1300s, city, development, England, growth, guilds, labour, proto-industry, Smithian growth, specialisation, urban economy |
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Posted by Ben