Joel Mokyr will discuss the Great Divergence, the rapid economic and technological growth between c. 1500 and 1950, that gave the West the opportunity to dominate (and often oppress and exploit) the rest of the world.

The lecture will answer a simple but haunting question: how were they able to do that?

Meet our speaker and chair

Joel Mokyr is the Robert H. Strotz Professor of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Economics and History at Northwestern University and Sackler Professor (by special appointment) at the Eitan Berglas School of Economics at the University of Tel Aviv. His most recent book is A Culture of Growth, published in 2016. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Mary Morgan is Albert O. Hirschman Professor of History and Philosophy of Economics in the Department of Economic History at LSE.

More about this event

The Department of Economics (@LSEEcon) at LSE, is one of the leading economics departments in the world. We are a large department, ensuring all mainstream areas of economics are strongly represented in research and teaching.

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEEconomics

Podcast & Video

A podcast of this event is available to download from Knowledge as a Source of the Great Divergence.

A video of this event is available to watch at Knowledge as a Source of the Great Divergence.

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.