In some respects this is intended to be a revolutionary book, but in other respects it is very traditional indeed. It is revolutionary in that we have developed a comprehensive analytical framework to examine and explain the rise of the Western world; a framework consistent with and complementary to standard neo-classical economic theory. Since the book is written to be understandable (and hopefully interesting) for those without prior economic training, we have avoided the jargon of the profession and attempted to be as clear and as straightforward as possible.

This book is traditional in that we have built upon the pioneering studies of a host of predecessors. Scholars in the field will readily recognize our debt to Marc Bloch, Carlo Cipolla, Maurice Dobb, John U. Nef, M. M. Postan, Joseph Schumpeter, as well as the classic legal and constitutional studies of Pollock and Maitland and Stubbs.

We should emphasize that this is an interpretive study – an extended explanation sketch – rather than an economic history in the traditional sense. It provides neither the detailed and exhaustive study of standard economic history nor the precise and empirical tests of the new economic history. Its objective is to suggest new paths for the study of European economic history rather than fit either of these standard formats. It is more than anything an agenda for new research.