The decline of declinism

Business History Review

Volumn 71, Issue 2, 1997, Pages 201-206

  Edgerton, David ^a  

^a IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0031351233     PISSN: 00076805     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2307/3116157     Document Type: Article

References (42)

1. R. E. Rowthorn and J. R. Wells, De-Industrialisation and Foreign Trade (Cambridge, 1987) suggests that de-industrialization had little to do with industrial performance, and a great deal to do with the changing composition and destination of British trade in goods.
2. Scott Newton and Dilwyn Porter, Modernisation Frustrated: The Politics of Industrial Decline in Britain since 1900 (London, 1988); David Coates, The Question of U.K. Decline: State, Society and Economy (London, 1994).
3. Scott Newton and Dilwyn Porter, Modernisation Frustrated: The Politics of Industrial Decline in Britain since 1900 (London, 1988); David Coates, The Question of U.K. Decline: State, Society and Economy (London, 1994).
4. Correlli Barnett's trilogy stands out. It consists of The Collapse of British Power (London, 1972), The Audit of War (1986), and The Lost Victory (1995). For critical reviews of Audit of War see Jose Harris, "Enterprise and Welfare States: A Comparative Perspective," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 40 (1990): 175-95; David Edgerton, "The Prophet Militant and Industrial: The Peculiarities of Correlli Barnett," Twentieth Century British History 2 (1991): 360-79. For Lost Victory see Martin Chick in Twentieth Century British History 7 (1996): 399-403, David Edgerton, "Declinism," London Review of Books (7 March 1996), and Jim Tomlinson, "Correlli Barnett's History: The Case of Marshall Aid," Twentieth Century British History 8 (1997): 222-238. For a general critique of the "cultural critique" see Bruce Collins and Keith Robbins, eds., British Culture and Economic Decline (London, 1990).
5. Correlli Barnett's trilogy stands out. It consists of The Collapse of British Power (London, 1972), The Audit of War (1986), and The Lost Victory (1995). For critical reviews of Audit of War see Jose Harris, "Enterprise and Welfare States: A Comparative Perspective," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 40 (1990): 175-95; David Edgerton, "The Prophet Militant and Industrial: The Peculiarities of Correlli Barnett," Twentieth Century British History 2 (1991): 360-79. For Lost Victory see Martin Chick in Twentieth Century British History 7 (1996): 399-403, David Edgerton, "Declinism," London Review of Books (7 March 1996), and Jim Tomlinson, "Correlli Barnett's History: The Case of Marshall Aid," Twentieth Century British History 8 (1997): 222-238. For a general critique of the "cultural critique" see Bruce Collins and Keith Robbins, eds., British Culture and Economic Decline (London, 1990).
6. Correlli Barnett's trilogy stands out. It consists of The Collapse of British Power (London, 1972), The Audit of War (1986), and The Lost Victory (1995). For critical reviews of Audit of War see Jose Harris, "Enterprise and Welfare States: A Comparative Perspective," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 40 (1990): 175-95; David Edgerton, "The Prophet Militant and Industrial: The Peculiarities of Correlli Barnett," Twentieth Century British History 2 (1991): 360-79. For Lost Victory see Martin Chick in Twentieth Century British History 7 (1996): 399-403, David Edgerton, "Declinism," London Review of Books (7 March 1996), and Jim Tomlinson, "Correlli Barnett's History: The Case of Marshall Aid," Twentieth Century British History 8 (1997): 222-238. For a general critique of the "cultural critique" see Bruce Collins and Keith Robbins, eds., British Culture and Economic Decline (London, 1990).
7. Correlli Barnett's trilogy stands out. It consists of The Collapse of British Power (London, 1972), The Audit of War (1986), and The Lost Victory (1995). For critical reviews of Audit of War see Jose Harris, "Enterprise and Welfare States: A Comparative Perspective," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 40 (1990): 175-95; David Edgerton, "The Prophet Militant and Industrial: The Peculiarities of Correlli Barnett," Twentieth Century British History 2 (1991): 360-79. For Lost Victory see Martin Chick in Twentieth Century British History 7 (1996): 399-403, David Edgerton, "Declinism," London Review of Books (7 March 1996), and Jim Tomlinson, "Correlli Barnett's History: The Case of Marshall Aid," Twentieth Century British History 8 (1997): 222-238. For a general critique of the "cultural critique" see Bruce Collins and Keith Robbins, eds., British Culture and Economic Decline (London, 1990).
8. Correlli Barnett's trilogy stands out. It consists of The Collapse of British Power (London, 1972), The Audit of War (1986), and The Lost Victory (1995). For critical reviews of Audit of War see Jose Harris, "Enterprise and Welfare States: A Comparative Perspective," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 40 (1990): 175-95; David Edgerton, "The Prophet Militant and Industrial: The Peculiarities of Correlli Barnett," Twentieth Century British History 2 (1991): 360-79. For Lost Victory see Martin Chick in Twentieth Century British History 7 (1996): 399-403, David Edgerton, "Declinism," London Review of Books (7 March 1996), and Jim Tomlinson, "Correlli Barnett's History: The Case of Marshall Aid," Twentieth Century British History 8 (1997): 222-238. For a general critique of the "cultural critique" see Bruce Collins and Keith Robbins, eds., British Culture and Economic Decline (London, 1990).
9. Correlli Barnett's trilogy stands out. It consists of The Collapse of British Power (London, 1972), The Audit of War (1986), and The Lost Victory (1995). For critical reviews of Audit of War see Jose Harris, "Enterprise and Welfare States: A Comparative Perspective," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 40 (1990): 175-95; David Edgerton, "The Prophet Militant and Industrial: The Peculiarities of Correlli Barnett," Twentieth Century British History 2 (1991): 360-79. For Lost Victory see Martin Chick in Twentieth Century British History 7 (1996): 399-403, David Edgerton, "Declinism," London Review of Books (7 March 1996), and Jim Tomlinson, "Correlli Barnett's History: The Case of Marshall Aid," Twentieth Century British History 8 (1997): 222-238. For a general critique of the "cultural critique" see Bruce Collins and Keith Robbins, eds., British Culture and Economic Decline (London, 1990).
10. Karel Williams, John Williams, and Denis Thomas, Why are the British Bad at Manufacturing? (London, 1983); Bernard Elbaum and William Lazonick, eds., The Decline of the British Economy (Oxford 1986); Coleman, D.C. and C. Macleod, "Attitudes to New Techniques: British Businessmen 1800-1950," Economic Histonj Review 39 (1986): 588-611; Wayne Lewchuck, American Technology and the British Vehicle Industry (Cambridge, 1987); Michael Distenfass, The Decline of Industrial Britain, 1870-1970 (London, 1992); M. W. Kirby, "Institutional Rigidities and Economic Decline: Reflections on the British Experience," Economic History Review 45 (1992): 637-660.
11. Karel Williams, John Williams, and Denis Thomas, Why are the British Bad at Manufacturing? (London, 1983); Bernard Elbaum and William Lazonick, eds., The Decline of the British Economy (Oxford 1986); Coleman, D.C. and C. Macleod, "Attitudes to New Techniques: British Businessmen 1800-1950," Economic Histonj Review 39 (1986): 588-611; Wayne Lewchuck, American Technology and the British Vehicle Industry (Cambridge, 1987); Michael Distenfass, The Decline of Industrial Britain, 1870-1970 (London, 1992); M. W. Kirby, "Institutional Rigidities and Economic Decline: Reflections on the British Experience," Economic History Review 45 (1992): 637-660.
12. Karel Williams, John Williams, and Denis Thomas, Why are the British Bad at Manufacturing? (London, 1983); Bernard Elbaum and William Lazonick, eds., The Decline of the British Economy (Oxford 1986); Coleman, D.C. and C. Macleod, "Attitudes to New Techniques: British Businessmen 1800-1950," Economic Histonj Review 39 (1986): 588-611; Wayne Lewchuck, American Technology and the British Vehicle Industry (Cambridge, 1987); Michael Distenfass, The Decline of Industrial Britain, 1870-1970 (London, 1992); M. W. Kirby, "Institutional Rigidities and Economic Decline: Reflections on the British Experience," Economic History Review 45 (1992): 637-660.
13. Karel Williams, John Williams, and Denis Thomas, Why are the British Bad at Manufacturing? (London, 1983); Bernard Elbaum and William Lazonick, eds., The Decline of the British Economy (Oxford 1986); Coleman, D.C. and C. Macleod, "Attitudes to New Techniques: British Businessmen 1800-1950," Economic Histonj Review 39 (1986): 588-611; Wayne Lewchuck, American Technology and the British Vehicle Industry (Cambridge, 1987); Michael Distenfass, The Decline of Industrial Britain, 1870-1970 (London, 1992); M. W. Kirby, "Institutional Rigidities and Economic Decline: Reflections on the British Experience," Economic History Review 45 (1992): 637-660.
14. Karel Williams, John Williams, and Denis Thomas, Why are the British Bad at Manufacturing? (London, 1983); Bernard Elbaum and William Lazonick, eds., The Decline of the British Economy (Oxford 1986); Coleman, D.C. and C. Macleod, "Attitudes to New Techniques: British Businessmen 1800-1950," Economic Histonj Review 39 (1986): 588-611; Wayne Lewchuck, American Technology and the British Vehicle Industry (Cambridge, 1987); Michael Distenfass, The Decline of Industrial Britain, 1870-1970 (London, 1992); M. W. Kirby, "Institutional Rigidities and Economic Decline: Reflections on the British Experience," Economic History Review 45 (1992): 637-660.
15. Karel Williams, John Williams, and Denis Thomas, Why are the British Bad at Manufacturing? (London, 1983); Bernard Elbaum and William Lazonick, eds., The Decline of the British Economy (Oxford 1986); Coleman, D.C. and C. Macleod, "Attitudes to New Techniques: British Businessmen 1800-1950," Economic Histonj Review 39 (1986): 588-611; Wayne Lewchuck, American Technology and the British Vehicle Industry (Cambridge, 1987); Michael Distenfass, The Decline of Industrial Britain, 1870-1970 (London, 1992); M. W. Kirby, "Institutional Rigidities and Economic Decline: Reflections on the British Experience," Economic History Review 45 (1992): 637-660.
16. As can be seen in the most recent textbook: John Wilson, British Business History 1720-1994 (Manchester, 1995).
17. Leslie Hannah, "Afterthoughts," Business and Economic History 24 (1995), 248.
18. Roderick Floud and Donald N. McCloskey, The Economic History of Britain since 1700, second edition, Vol. 2 and 3 (Cambridge, 1994).
19. (London, 1989).
20. See: Donald N. McCloskey, "The Politics of Stories in Historical Economics," in If You're So Smart: The Narrative of Economic Expertise (Chicago, 1990); David Edgerton "The Prophet Militant and Industrial"; W. D. Rubinstein, Capitalism, Culture and Economic Decline in Britain, 1750-1990 (London, 1993); Barry Supple, "Fear of Failing: Economic History and the Decline of Britain," Economic History Review 47 (1994): 441-58; Jim Tomlinson, "Inventing 'Decline:' The Falling Behind of the British Economy in the Postwar Years," Economic History Review 49 (1996): 731-57.
21. See: Donald N. McCloskey, "The Politics of Stories in Historical Economics," in If You're So Smart: The Narrative of Economic Expertise (Chicago, 1990); David Edgerton "The Prophet Militant and Industrial"; W. D. Rubinstein, Capitalism, Culture and Economic Decline in Britain, 1750-1990 (London, 1993); Barry Supple, "Fear of Failing: Economic History and the Decline of Britain," Economic History Review 47 (1994): 441-58; Jim Tomlinson, "Inventing 'Decline:' The Falling Behind of the British Economy in the Postwar Years," Economic History Review 49 (1996): 731-57.
22. See: Donald N. McCloskey, "The Politics of Stories in Historical Economics," in If You're So Smart: The Narrative of Economic Expertise (Chicago, 1990); David Edgerton "The Prophet Militant and Industrial"; W. D. Rubinstein, Capitalism, Culture and Economic Decline in Britain, 1750-1990 (London, 1993); Barry Supple, "Fear of Failing: Economic History and the Decline of Britain," Economic History Review 47 (1994): 441-58; Jim Tomlinson, "Inventing 'Decline:' The Falling Behind of the British Economy in the Postwar Years," Economic History Review 49 (1996): 731-57.
23. See: Donald N. McCloskey, "The Politics of Stories in Historical Economics," in If You're So Smart: The Narrative of Economic Expertise (Chicago, 1990); David Edgerton "The Prophet Militant and Industrial"; W. D. Rubinstein, Capitalism, Culture and Economic Decline in Britain, 1750-1990 (London, 1993); Barry Supple, "Fear of Failing: Economic History and the Decline of Britain," Economic History Review 47 (1994): 441-58; Jim Tomlinson, "Inventing 'Decline:' The Falling Behind of the British Economy in the Postwar Years," Economic History Review 49 (1996): 731-57.
24. For a general survey see Nick Crafts, Britain's Relative Economic Decline, 1870-1995: A Quantitative Perspective (London, 1997); S. N. Broadberry and N. F. R. Crafts, "Explaining Anglo-American Productivity Differences in the Mid-Twentieth Century," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 375-402; S. N. Broadberry and R. Fremdling, "Comparative Productivity in British and German Industry 1907-37," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 403-21; S. N. Broadberry, "Manufacturing and the Convergence Hypothesis: What the Long-Run Data Show," Journal of Economic History 53 (1993): 772-95; Angus Maddison, Dynamic Forces in Capitalist Development (Oxford, 1991); B. Van Ark, "Comparative Levels of Labour Productivity in Postwar Europe: Some Evidence for Manufacturing," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 343-74.
25. For a general survey see Nick Crafts, Britain's Relative Economic Decline, 1870-1995: A Quantitative Perspective (London, 1997); S. N. Broadberry and N. F. R. Crafts, "Explaining Anglo-American Productivity Differences in the Mid-Twentieth Century," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 375-402; S. N. Broadberry and R. Fremdling, "Comparative Productivity in British and German Industry 1907-37," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 403-21; S. N. Broadberry, "Manufacturing and the Convergence Hypothesis: What the Long-Run Data Show," Journal of Economic History 53 (1993): 772-95; Angus Maddison, Dynamic Forces in Capitalist Development (Oxford, 1991); B. Van Ark, "Comparative Levels of Labour Productivity in Postwar Europe: Some Evidence for Manufacturing," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 343-74.
26. For a general survey see Nick Crafts, Britain's Relative Economic Decline, 1870-1995: A Quantitative Perspective (London, 1997); S. N. Broadberry and N. F. R. Crafts, "Explaining Anglo-American Productivity Differences in the Mid-Twentieth Century," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 375-402; S. N. Broadberry and R. Fremdling, "Comparative Productivity in British and German Industry 1907-37," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 403-21; S. N. Broadberry, "Manufacturing and the Convergence Hypothesis: What the Long-Run Data Show," Journal of Economic History 53 (1993): 772-95; Angus Maddison, Dynamic Forces in Capitalist Development (Oxford, 1991); B. Van Ark, "Comparative Levels of Labour Productivity in Postwar Europe: Some Evidence for Manufacturing," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 343-74.
27. For a general survey see Nick Crafts, Britain's Relative Economic Decline, 1870-1995: A Quantitative Perspective (London, 1997); S. N. Broadberry and N. F. R. Crafts, "Explaining Anglo-American Productivity Differences in the Mid-Twentieth Century," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 375-402; S. N. Broadberry and R. Fremdling, "Comparative Productivity in British and German Industry 1907-37," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 403-21; S. N. Broadberry, "Manufacturing and the Convergence Hypothesis: What the Long-Run Data Show," Journal of Economic History 53 (1993): 772-95; Angus Maddison, Dynamic Forces in Capitalist Development (Oxford, 1991); B. Van Ark, "Comparative Levels of Labour Productivity in Postwar Europe: Some Evidence for Manufacturing," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 343-74.
28. For a general survey see Nick Crafts, Britain's Relative Economic Decline, 1870-1995: A Quantitative Perspective (London, 1997); S. N. Broadberry and N. F. R. Crafts, "Explaining Anglo-American Productivity Differences in the Mid-Twentieth Century," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 375-402; S. N. Broadberry and R. Fremdling, "Comparative Productivity in British and German Industry 1907-37," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 403-21; S. N. Broadberry, "Manufacturing and the Convergence Hypothesis: What the Long-Run Data Show," Journal of Economic History 53 (1993): 772-95; Angus Maddison, Dynamic Forces in Capitalist Development (Oxford, 1991); B. Van Ark, "Comparative Levels of Labour Productivity in Postwar Europe: Some Evidence for Manufacturing," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 343-74.
29. For a general survey see Nick Crafts, Britain's Relative Economic Decline, 1870-1995: A Quantitative Perspective (London, 1997); S. N. Broadberry and N. F. R. Crafts, "Explaining Anglo-American Productivity Differences in the Mid-Twentieth Century," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 375-402; S. N. Broadberry and R. Fremdling, "Comparative Productivity in British and German Industry 1907-37," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 403-21; S. N. Broadberry, "Manufacturing and the Convergence Hypothesis: What the Long-Run Data Show," Journal of Economic History 53 (1993): 772-95; Angus Maddison, Dynamic Forces in Capitalist Development (Oxford, 1991); B. Van Ark, "Comparative Levels of Labour Productivity in Postwar Europe: Some Evidence for Manufacturing," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 52 (1990): 343-74.
30. Alfred Chandler, Jr., Scale and Scope: The Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism (Cambridge, 1990). For British responses see: Barry Supple, "Scale and Scope: Alfred Chandler and the Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism," Economic History Review 44 (1991): 500-514; and Leslie Hannah, "Scale and Scope: Towards a European Visible Hand?," Business History 32 (1991): 297-309.
31. Alfred Chandler, Jr., Scale and Scope: The Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism (Cambridge, 1990). For British responses see: Barry Supple, "Scale and Scope: Alfred Chandler and the Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism," Economic History Review 44 (1991): 500-514; and Leslie Hannah, "Scale and Scope: Towards a European Visible Hand?," Business History 32 (1991): 297-309.
32. Alfred Chandler, Jr., Scale and Scope: The Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism (Cambridge, 1990). For British responses see: Barry Supple, "Scale and Scope: Alfred Chandler and the Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism," Economic History Review 44 (1991): 500-514; and Leslie Hannah, "Scale and Scope: Towards a European Visible Hand?," Business History 32 (1991): 297-309.
33. Christopher J. Schmitz, The Growth of Big Business in the United States and Western Europe, 1850-1939 (London, 1993). See also Leslie Hannah, "Marshal's 'Trees' and the Global 'Forests': Were 'Giant Redwoods' Different" (London School of Economics; Centre for Economic Performance, Discussion Paper No. 318, Jan. 1997); to appear in a collection edited by Peter Temin, Naomi R. Lamoureaux, and Daniel M. G. Raff (forthcoming).
34. Christopher J. Schmitz, The Growth of Big Business in the United States and Western Europe, 1850-1939 (London, 1993). See also Leslie Hannah, "Marshal's 'Trees' and the Global 'Forests': Were 'Giant Redwoods' Different" (London School of Economics; Centre for Economic Performance, Discussion Paper No. 318, Jan. 1997); to appear in a collection edited by Peter Temin, Naomi R. Lamoureaux, and Daniel M. G. Raff (forthcoming).
35. Leslie Hannah, "Delusions of Durable Dominance, Or The Invisible Hand Strikes Back: A Critique of the New Orthodoxy in Internationally Comparative Business History," (mimeo).
36. Leslie Hannah, "The American Miracle, 1875-1950, and After: A View in the European Mirror," Business and Economic History 24 (1995): 204-5.
37. For revisionist accounts see: David Edgerton, Science, Technology and the British Industrial "Decline" 1870-1970 (Cambridge, 1996); Hannah, "Delusions of Dominance;" S. N. Broadberry and K. Wagner, "Human Capital and Productivity in Manufacturing during The Twentieth Century: Britain, Germany and the United States," in Quantitative Aspects of Postwar European Growth, ed. B. van Ark and N. F. R. Crafts (Cambridge, 1995).
38. For revisionist accounts see: David Edgerton, Science, Technology and the British Industrial "Decline" 1870-1970 (Cambridge, 1996); Hannah, "Delusions of Dominance;" S. N. Broadberry and K. Wagner, "Human Capital and Productivity in Manufacturing during The Twentieth Century: Britain, Germany and the United States," in Quantitative Aspects of Postwar European Growth, ed. B. van Ark and N. F. R. Crafts (Cambridge, 1995).
39. For revisionist accounts see: David Edgerton, Science, Technology and the British Industrial "Decline" 1870-1970 (Cambridge, 1996); Hannah, "Delusions of Dominance;" S. N. Broadberry and K. Wagner, "Human Capital and Productivity in Manufacturing during The Twentieth Century: Britain, Germany and the United States," in Quantitative Aspects of Postwar European Growth, ed. B. van Ark and N. F. R. Crafts (Cambridge, 1995).
40. Duncan M. Boss, "Commercial Banking in a Market-Oriented Financial System: Britain between The Wars," Economic History Review 49 (1996): 314-335.
41. Jonathan Zeitlin, Between Flexibility and Mass Production: Strategic Debate and Industrial Reorganization in British Engineering, 1830-1990 (forthcoming).
42. William Lazonick, "Industrial Organization and Technological Change: The Decline of the British Cotton Industry," Business History Review 57 (1983): 195-236.