This book provides a comprehensive and rigourous study of the
development of the British economy from the early eighteenth century
onwards. It surveys and synthesises the prevalent literature on the
origins of the growth of the economy and its topical problems, and
challenges the conventional view that sees an industrial revolution as
the starting point of Britain's fresh economic growth. Statistical
studies have to a large extent established the pattern of growth and of
the leading economic indicators. The book makes full use of these
studies and surveys the main macroeconomic aggregates: wealth and
income; investment and the financial system; production and
productivity; demographic and economic growth; foreign trade and
payments; and regional growth. It looks at the interpretations of the
data, the issues raised and examines the major debates.