Technological Inertia in Economic History

Joel Mokyr*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

Technological progress depends for its success on a conducive social environment. The resistance to innovation is identified as a central element governing the success of new inventions. Such resistance usually takes the form of non-market processes. It consists of vested interests, whose assets are jeopardized by new techniques, as well as by intellectuals who are opposed to new technology on principle. The role of resistance in the British and French economies during the Industrial Revolution is assessed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)325-338
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Economic History
Volume52
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1992
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Technological Inertia in Economic History'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this