The European Miracle ^{2nd Ed.}

Why did modern states and economies develop first in the peripheral and late-coming culture of Europe? This historical puzzle looms behind every study of industrialization and economic development. In his analytical and comparative work, Eric Jones sees the economic condition forming where natural environments and political systems meet: Europe's economic rise is explained as a favoured interaction between them, contrasting with the frustrating pattern of their interplay in the Ottoman empire, India and China.

For the second edition Professor Jones has added a new introduction and an updated bibliographical guide.

• Preface and acknowledgements
• Introduction to the second edition
• Map
• EURASIA
1. Environmental and social conjectures
2. Disasters and capital accumulation
• EUROPE
3. Technological drift
4. The Discoveries and ghost acreage
5. The market economy
6. The states system
7. Nation-states
• THE WORLD
8. Beyond Europe
• ASIA
9. Islam and the Ottoman Empire
10. India and the Mughal Empire
11. China and the Ming and Manchu Empires
• EURASIA
12. Summary and comparison
• Annotated bibliographical guide
• Bibliography and supplementary guide

A very interesting book on why Europe came to be the center of the industrial revolution and not Asia.

Well-grounded in theory and with some nice conclusions, that of course is open to debate, it was a joy to read.

The most interesting thesis is that diversity on as state level is good for innovation/economy, while empires only are good for stability.

Anyway, recommended reading, if for no other reason than to get you up-to-date on one side of the debate.