Why did the West grow rich in the 18th century after thousands of years of nearly zero economic growth? Joel Mokyr, an economic historian at Northwestern University, contends that it was the culture in Western Europe that sparked the Great Enrichment.

Joel Mokyr is the author of the recent book, A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern Economy. He joins me on the podcast to discuss his argument, what the lessons of economic history can teach us about the future of innovation, and whether the techno-optimists or -pessimists are right about the future.

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There are 4 comments.

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  1. EHerring Coolidge
    EHerring
    @EHerring

    This was rather interesting.  One wonders if the things he claims helped our advance are on the decline in academia.

    • #1
  2. Israel P. Inactive
    Israel P.
    @IsraelP

    Wikipedia:

    He is the Robert H. Strotz Professor of Arts and Sciences and professor of economics and history at Northwestern University, and Sackler Professor at the Eitan Berglas School of Economics at the University of Tel Aviv.

    • #2
  3. Icarus213 Coolidge
    Icarus213
    @Icarus213

    Did anyone else find his voice delightful?  I pictured Ludwig Von Drake lecturing:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWlukTTVavg

     

     

    • #3
  4. Chris Member
    Chris
    @Chris

    A very good podcast.  This book is on my list now.

     

     

    • #4
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