Philippe Aghion

Économie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissance

Collège de France

Année 2025-2026

The Longue Durée: Economic History and the Rise of Prosperity in the Modern Age

Conférence - Joel Mokyr : The Market for Ideas: then and now

Joel Mokyr

Northwestern University

Résumé

This lecture asks whether Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) have played an important role in economic development and technological progress and to what extent it has held back growth in the past. The answers, it turns, out are far more nuanced and complex than much of the literature suggests, and that much modern science and technology have deep religious origins.

Philippe Aghion

Économie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissance

Collège de France

Année 2025-2026

The Longue Durée: Economic History and the Rise of Prosperity in the Modern Age

Conférence - Joel Mokyr : The Great Reversal: the economies of China and Europe, 1000 - 2000

Joel Mokyr

Northwestern University

Résumé

This lecture, based on a new book entitled Two Paths to Prosperity: Culture and Institutions in Europe and China, 1000-2000 will ask the question why Europe and China reversed positions in economic development and technological capabilities between 1000 and 2000? While in 1000 China was a rich, cultured and sophisticated society when Europe was poor and barbarous, by the twentieth century the two civilizations had reversed positions. It will propose a novel approach, based on the importance of "social organizations" and the way economic cooperation is sustained.

Philippe Aghion

Économie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissance

Collège de France

Année 2025-2026

The Longue Durée: Economic History and the Rise of Prosperity in the Modern Age

Conférence - Joel Mokyr : Innovation and the British Industrial Revolution: a New Look

Joel Mokyr

Northwestern University

Résumé

This lecture, based on a forthcoming book entitled Why Britain? A New View of the Industrial Revolution will discuss the various factors that made Britain into the workshop of the world and the cradle of technological progress and economic growth. It will discuss institutions, geography, and empire, and then propose a novel explanation of the location and timing of the Industrial Revolution hitherto neglected by economic historians.