This book analyzes the development of economic cycles in the run of
history. The focus is on the development of cycle theory, with maximum
emphasis upon ideas. Chapter 1 delivers an overview of the debate about
cycles before the 1970s. Chapter 2 completes this survey by presenting
the main empirical investigations since that time. Finally, Chapters 3
and 4 illustrate the discourse, by presenting, in the tradition of Burns
and Mitchell, original case studies on France, South Africa, and
Germany.