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Averting a Great Divergence

State and Economy in Japan, 1868-1937
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Averting a Great Divergence, Peer Vries explores the economic histories of China and Europe to understand why the Industrial Revolution took place in the West rather than the East. The book delves into comparative analyses, examining the political, social, and economic factors that influenced developmental trajectories and global power shifts. It's a thought-provoking analysis for readers interested in understanding the historical dynamics that shaped the modern world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by the economic and societal evolution of nations, this historical analysis might appeal to you, especially if you're interested in understanding why industrial development occurred differently in Western Europe compared to other parts of the world. Peer Vries offers an in-depth look at Europe's historical context and the factors that averted a significant economic divergence, providing insights valuable to history enthusiasts.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The most significant debate in global economic history over the past twenty years has dealt with the Great Divergence, the economic gap between different parts of the world. Thus far, this debate has focused on China, India, and north-western Europe, particularly Great Britain.

Averting a Great Divergence shifts the focus to ask how Japan became the only non-western country that managed, at least partially, to modernize its economy and start to industrialize in the 19th century.

Using a range of empirical data, Peer Vries analyses the role of the state in Japan’s economic growth from the Meiji Restoration to World War II, and asks whether Japan’s economic success can be attributed to the rise of state power. Asserting that the state’s involvement was fundamental in Japan’s economic β€˜catching up’, he demonstrates how this was built on legacies from the previous Tokugawa period.

In Averting a Great Divergence, Vries deepens our understanding of the Great Divergence in global history by re-examining how Japan developed and modernized against the odds.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Averting a Great Divergence by Peer Vries is highly regarded for its in-depth examination of Japanese economic development from the Tokugawa period to 1937. Reviewers commend the book for its systematic comparisons and its ability to elucidate key issues about Japan's development in the context of global economic history. Scholars describe it as an essential read for understanding Japan's unique path to modernity, highlighting its value for both economic historians and those outside the field interested in Japan's comparative development.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781350196179

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 March 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 449g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Peer Vries is Research Fellow at the International Institute of Social History, Netherlands, and has previously held positions as Professor of Global Economic History at University of Vienna, Austria, and Leiden University, Netherlands. His publications include State, Economy and the Great Divergence: Britain and China (2015) and Escaping Poverty: The Origins of Modern Economic Growth (2013).

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