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What motivated the Industrial Revolution: England's libertarian culture or affluence per se?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2019
Abstract
What impelled the Industrial Revolution's spectacular economic growth? Life History Theory, Baumard argues, explains how England's world-supreme affluence psychologically fostered innovation; moreover, wherever similar affluence abounds, a “civilizing process” bringing enlightenment and democracy is apt to evolve. Baumard insightfully analyzes a “constellation of affluence” but proffers somewhat whiggish history given England's prior and unique proto-capitalist culture of economic liberty and individualism.
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Target article
Psychological origins of the Industrial Revolution
Related commentaries (24)
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What motivated the Industrial Revolution: England's libertarian culture or affluence per se?
Author response
Psychological origins of the Industrial Revolution: More work is needed!