Conférence - Joel Mokyr : The Great Reversal: the economies of China and Europe, 1000 - 2000

Philippe AghionÉconomie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissanceCollège de FranceAnnée 2025-2026The Longue Durée: Economic History and the Rise of Prosperity in the Modern AgeConférence - Joel Mokyr : The Great Reversal: the economies of China and Europe, 1000 - 2000Joel MokyrNorthwestern UniversityRésuméThis lecture, based on a new book entitled Two Paths to Prosperity: Culture and Institutions in Europe and China, 1000-2000 will ask the question why Europe and China reversed positions in economic development and technological capabilities between 1000 and 2000? While in 1000 China was a rich, cultured and sophisticated society when Europe was poor and barbarous, by the twentieth century the two civilizations had reversed positions. It will propose a novel approach, based on the importance of "social organizations" and the way economic cooperation is sustained.