We draw lessons from the success stories of economic development in the past for policymakers today

Our research seeks to explain comparative long-run growth performance. A significant part of our work has been to build on and extend existing data to understand the reasons for growth performance over time. Since the beginning of CAGE, we have developed substantial new data and analysis on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Britain between 1270 and 1870. We have also put together and researched regional GDP data across Europe, enabling economists to better understand how modern economies have developed over time.

We use historical analysis to inform debate about economic challenges in the contemporary world. Our research often looks back over longer periods than most policymakers normally take into consideration. As such, we have drawn out new lessons for modern governments. For example, we have highlighted lessons from the financial crisis of the 1930s to inform policymakers how they should respond to the 2008 banking crash; uncovered the long term effect of forced migration on educational attainment; and investigated market potential and global growth over the long twentieth century. We have also contributed to a 45 year project on the Industrialisation of the Soviet Union (1929-39).

Theme leaders

Stephen Broadberry

Stephen is Professor of Economic History at Nuffield College, Oxford.

James Fenske

James is Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick.