This research project reinterprets the events causing the British Industrial Revolution by showing that the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689 was significant in causing the divergence of political institutions which led to the divergence of economic institutions and policy.
The industrial revolution and the consequent economic divergence of Britain from the rest of the world in the second half of the 18th century was the result of changes in economic institutions and policies which created a better incentive environment that stimulated technical change and innovation. Original archival work helps to explain the various ways in which political and economic institutions affected and in turn were affected by the rapid industrialization of Britain and the subsequent explosion of growth all around the world.
