Guilds, Innovation and the European Economy, 1400–1800

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511496738

For a long time guilds have been condemned as a major obstacle to economic progress in the pre-industrial era. This re-examination of the role of guilds in the early modern European economy challenges that view by taking into account fresh research on innovation, technological change and entrepreneurship. Leading economic historians argue that industry before the Industrial Revolution was much more innovative than previous studies have allowed for and explore the different products and production techniques that were launched and developed in this period. Much of this innovation was fostered by the craft guilds that formed the backbone of industrial production before the rise of the steam engine. The book traces the manifold ways in which guilds in a variety of industries in Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Britain helped to create an institutional environment conducive to technological and marketing innovations.

Review of the hardback:'This is undoubtedly an important collection of essays that brings the vibrancy of the early modern industry to the fore.'

Source: The Historical Association

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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List of Contributors
pp vii-vii
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Acknowledgments
pp viii-viii
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Introduction: Guilds, Innovation, and the European Economy, 1400–1800
pp 1-24
- By S. R. Epstein, Professor of Economic History and Head of the Economic History Department at the London School of Economics London School of Economics., Maarten Prak, Professor of Social and Economic History Utrecht University.
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1 - Craft Guilds, the Theory of the Firm, and Early Modern Proto-industry
pp 25-51
- By Ulrich Pfister, Professor of Social and Economic History Westfälische Wilhelms–Universität in Münster, Germany
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2 - Craft Guilds, Apprenticeship, and Technological Change in Pre-industrial Europe
pp 52-80
- By S. R. Epstein, Professor Of Economic History London School of Economics
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3 - Subcontracting in Guild-based Export Trades, Thirteenth–Eighteenth Centuries
pp 81-113
- By Catharina Lis, Professor of Social History Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, Hugo Soly, Professor of Early Modern History Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
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4 - Circulation of Skilled Labour in Late Medieval and Early Modern Central Europe
pp 114-142
- By Reinhold Reith, Professor of Economic and Social History Universität Salzburg, Austria
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5 - Painters, Guilds, and the Art Market during the Dutch Golden Age
pp 143-171
- By Maarten Prak, Professor of Economic and Social History Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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6 - Craft Guilds and Technological Change: The Engine Loom in the European Silk Ribbon Industry in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
pp 172-198
- By Ulrich Pfister, Professor of Social and Economic History Westfälische Wilhelms–Universität in Münster, Germany.
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7 - Guilds, Technology, and Economic Change in Early Modern Venice
pp 199-231
- By Francesca Trivellato, Professor of History Yale University
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8 - Inventing in a World of Guilds: Silk Fabrics in Eighteenth-century Lyon
pp 232-263
- By Liliane Pérez, Lecturer in the History of Technology Conservatoire national des Arts et Métiers in Paris
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9 - ‘Not to Hurt of Trade’: Guilds and Innovation in Horology and Precision Instrument Making
pp 264-287
- By Anthony Turner, Independent Historian Le Mesnil-le-Roi, France
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10 - Reaching beyond the City Wall: London Guilds and National Regulation, 1500–1700
pp 288-315
- By Ian Anders Gadd, Lecturer in English Literature Bath Spa University, Patrick Wallis, Lecturer in Economic History London School of Economics
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11 - Guilds in Decline? London Livery Companies and the Rise of a Liberal Economy, 1600–1800
pp 316-342
- By Michael Berlin, Lecturer in History Birkbeck College, University of London
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Index
pp 343-352
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Guilds, Innovation and the European Economy, 1400–1800

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

List of Contributors
pp vii-vii

Acknowledgments
pp viii-viii

Introduction: Guilds, Innovation, and the European Economy, 1400–1800
pp 1-24

1 - Craft Guilds, the Theory of the Firm, and Early Modern Proto-industry
pp 25-51

2 - Craft Guilds, Apprenticeship, and Technological Change in Pre-industrial Europe
pp 52-80

3 - Subcontracting in Guild-based Export Trades, Thirteenth–Eighteenth Centuries
pp 81-113

4 - Circulation of Skilled Labour in Late Medieval and Early Modern Central Europe
pp 114-142

5 - Painters, Guilds, and the Art Market during the Dutch Golden Age
pp 143-171

6 - Craft Guilds and Technological Change: The Engine Loom in the European Silk Ribbon Industry in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
pp 172-198

7 - Guilds, Technology, and Economic Change in Early Modern Venice
pp 199-231

8 - Inventing in a World of Guilds: Silk Fabrics in Eighteenth-century Lyon
pp 232-263

9 - ‘Not to Hurt of Trade’: Guilds and Innovation in Horology and Precision Instrument Making
pp 264-287

10 - Reaching beyond the City Wall: London Guilds and National Regulation, 1500–1700
pp 288-315

11 - Guilds in Decline? London Livery Companies and the Rise of a Liberal Economy, 1600–1800
pp 316-342

Index
pp 343-352

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Guilds, Innovation and the European Economy, 1400–1800

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