The Economy of Europe in an Age of Crisis, 1600-1750

by Jan de Vries

By relating economic changes to the political backdrop, The Economy of Europe in an Age of Crisis, 1600–1750 describes and analyzes the economic civilisation of Europe in the last epoch before the Industrial Revolution. The author makes a special effort to apply economic reasoning to the economic forces of the period and challenges some longstanding opinions about what was and was not important in explaining economic performance. The significance of this study rests in its identification of the ways a 'traditional' society developed its economy despite the absence of the obvious growth factors of the nineteenth century. The approach is consciously problems of interpretation are identified; research not yet available elsewhere is incorporated into the text; and examples are drawn from minor as well as major countries in western and central Europe. Topics dealt with include the development of agriculture and industry, foreign and regional trade, urbanization, a study of demand in explaining economic growth, the bourgeoisie, and the state.

Genres: History, Economics, Nonfiction, European History

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 1976

About the author

Jan de Vries is Ehrman Professor Emeritus of History at the University of California, Berkeley.

Reviews

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating study about economics during a turbulent period of European history - between the end of the Renaissance and the beginning of the modern age. During this period, the entire feudal system disappeared and the period of the great autocracies and monarchies swept over most of Europe.
Did you know that it was only at the end of the 17c that potatoes were introduced to Ireland?
The very European addictive products of coffee, tea, and tobacco were introduced only in the 1650s and that they quickly revolutionized daily life - first for the rich who could afford them but soon for everyone as prices fell due to oversupply and other economic factors.
I found the entire book fascinating if somewhat academic at points.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I've ever learned so much information in so few pages.

I have a bit of a mental block when it comes to economics or economic history (utter the phrase 'futures market' and I will immediately give up on trying to understand what you're telling me), but this is a really fantastic book. It reminds me of sitting and listening to a really passionate and intelligent person clearly explaining a difficult concept: it's clear, measured, and balanced.

1600-1750 was an odd period in economic history, situated between two periods of extremely rapid economic expansion (the development of the Atlantic system in the 16th century and the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th). Looking at the aggregate numbers gives the idea that these 150 years were unimpressive and a bit sluggish: populations meandered upwards, urbanization remained mostly level, and there were few dramatic technological advances. But when de Vries zooms in, he's really able to demonstrate how much ferment was going on and how essential this period was for the development of the world economy.

Asking how this new world economy developed (or, to frame it an older way, how Europe made the shift from feudalism to capitalism) is a hugely complicated question. There are issues of population, marriage rates, prices, agricultural revamping, international trade, local trade, influx of bullion from the New World, changing (or not changing) social norms, attitudes of governments, changing fuel sources, and changing methods of industrial production. It's dizzying, but de Vries approaches the issue with care and clarity. I also like how eclectic he is in his sources and his explanations for economic change. Instead of arguing for a single causation - or instead of following Thomas Malthus or Karl Marx - he pulls from all over the place, demonstrating the crazy webs of mutual interaction and dependence that were beginning to form. If you have any interest in early modern economics at all, I strongly recommend this book.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book on economic history --

This one, I have not read, but those interested in the Dutch Republic might look at it:
http://www.amazon.com/First-Modern-Ec...

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for a NEH summer seminar. It is an excellent exploration of the last traditional era of European economic history preceding the industrial revolution. The emphasis is on northwest Europe, especially England and The Netherlands. Mercantilism is only lightly touched upon. De Vries says too many historians look to mercantilism as an easy answer to a complex history. This book reads well, is well supported with statistics and graphs, and seamlessly relates economic and social history. I found it fascinating. So many modern institutions began in this period, like the Bank of England and the East India Company. He well covers these stories. Also, thoroughly examined was the transitions in village life and farming habits. My understanding of economic history has been greatly improved by this book.

[Joe Atwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually an awesome and interesting book that, for a book on economics without fancy kings was still very compelling, and, I thought, insightful. Well worth the time for anyone interested in learning something that matters but not found in the pop-culture section.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview of the period. Fairly easy to read even without a strong historical or economic background.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sweet. De Vries is known as the mad dutchman of economic history. Well, known that way to me at least.