To explain the Industrial Revolution, Mokyr emphasizes “supply” factors (culture, science); Allen emphasizes demand (high wages, cheap energy).
Clearly both are needed. Which you emphasize says something about what you think is the limiting factor, vs. what is always available…
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Robert Allen's explanation for the Industrial Revolution is that Britain had high wages and cheap energy, which made it profitable for them to industrialize.
This doesn’t sit right with me. Here are some thoughts on why
rootsofprogress.org/reflections-on

