Tag: David Hume

The Enlightenment in Britain and France

Posted in social institutions

The Enlightenment marked a change in the way that humans understood themselves. Before the Enlightenment, they were bit players under God’s direction; after the Enlightenment, they stood at center stage…

The Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution

Posted in economic institutions, history of economic growth, history of science, history of technology, Industrial Revolution, political institutions, property rights, Scientific Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was influenced by both the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment…

Why Nations Fail:
 Theory is Tidy, History is Messy

Posted in economic institutions, history of economic growth, history of trade and commerce, Industrial Revolution, political institutions, property rights, technological progress

Acemoglu and Robinson argue that sustained growth is almost always attained in a particular way: inclusive political institutions develop first, followed by inclusive economic institutions, followed by growth. They recognize the boldness of their claim…