The Rise of Europe: Atlantic Trade, Institutional Change and Economic Growth

105 Pages Posted: 7 Feb 2003

See all articles by Daron Acemoglu

Daron Acemoglu

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Simon Johnson

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Entrepreneurship Center; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

James A. Robinson

Harvard University - Department of Government; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Date Written: January 2003

Abstract

This Paper documents that the rise of (Western) Europe between 1500 and 1850 is largely accounted for by the growth of European nations with access to the Atlantic, and especially by those nations that engaged in colonialism and long distance oceanic trade. Moreover, Atlantic ports grew much faster than other West European cities, including Mediterranean ports. Atlantic trade and colonialism affected Europe both directly and indirectly by inducing institutional changes. In particular, the growth of New World, African and Asian trade after 1500 strengthened new segments of the commercial bourgeoisie and enabled these groups to demand, obtain and sustain changes in institutions to protect their property rights. Furthermore, the most significant institutional changes, and consequently the most substantial economic gains, occurred in nations where existing institutions placed some checks on the monarchy and particularly limited its control of overseas trading activities, thus enabling new merchants in these countries to benefit from Atlantic trade. Therefore, the Rise of Europe was largely the result of capitalist development driven by the interaction of late medieval institutions and the economic opportunities offered by 'Atlantic trade.'

Keywords: Capitalism, institutions, social conflict, economic growth, political economy, trade

JEL Classification: F10, N13, O10, P10

Suggested Citation

Acemoglu, Daron and Johnson, Simon and Robinson, James A., The Rise of Europe: Atlantic Trade, Institutional Change and Economic Growth (January 2003). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=378280

Daron Acemoglu (Contact Author)

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Simon Johnson

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James A. Robinson

Harvard University - Department of Government ( email )

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

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