A new edition of the leading textbook on the economic history of Britain since industrialization. Combining the expertise of more than thirty leading historians and economists, Volume 2 tracks the development of the British economy from late nineteenth-century global dominance to its early twenty-first century position as a mid-sized player in an integrated European economy. Each chapter provides a clear guide to the major controversies in the field and students are shown how to connect historical evidence with economic theory and how to apply quantitative methods. The chapters re-examine issues of Britain's relative economic growth and decline over the 'long' twentieth century, setting the British experience within an international context, and benchmark its performance against that of its European and global competitors. Suggestions for further reading are also provided in each chapter, to help students engage thoroughly with the topics being discussed.

Modern Britain focuses on two major periods of British history; the interwar period, and postwar Britain. The authors compare and contrast developments in the two periods, dealing with the themes of: * growth and welfare * industry * labour * social policy * the economy Combining a narrative with a conceptual and analytic approach,Modern Britain provides an end-of-century review of progress and decline and an essential background to current polemics and major issues of concern. Clearly structured and written, this is an invaluable textbook for students of twentieth century British history.

Why did the industrial revolution take place in 18th century Britain and not elsewhere in Europe or Asia? Robert Allen argues that the British industrial revolution was a successful response to the global economy of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Revisionist analysis