The Economics of World War I

Description

This unique volume offers a definitive new history of European economies at war from 1914 to 1918. It studies how European economies mobilised for war, how existing economic institutions stood up under the strain, how economic development influenced outcomes, and how wartime experience influenced postwar economic growth. Leading international experts provide the first systematic comparison of economies at war between 1914 and 1918 based on the best available data for Britain, Germany, France, Russia, the USA, Italy, Turkey, Austria-Hungary and the Netherlands. The editors' overview draws some stark lessons about the role of economic development, the importance of markets, and the damage done by nationalism and protectionism. A companion volume to the acclaimed The Economics of World War II, this is a major contribution to our understanding of total war.

Stephen Broadberry is Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick. His previous books include The Productivity Race: British Manufacturing in International Perspective (1997). Mark Harrison is Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick. He has written a number of books and articles on Russian and comparative economic history, including The Soviet Defence-Industry Complex from Stalin to Khrushchev (2000).

'... the editors and contributors have done much to stimulate further debate and future research about the economics of World War I. This volume belongs on the shelf of every economist, historian, and economic historian with an interest in the twentieth century.' Hans-Joachim Voth, ICREA and Universitat Pompeu Fabra