Alexander Gerschenkron
Alexander Gerschenkron (1904–1978) was a Russian-American economic historian and professor at Harvard University, best known for his work on economic backwardness and the patterns of industrial development in historical perspective. His influential essay 'Economic Backwardness in Historical Perspective' argued that the more backward an economy was at the outset of industrialization, the more likely certain conditions would lead to rapid growth and that different paths could be taken to modernize. His ideas have had a lasting impact on development economics and economic history.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Economic Backwardness In Historial Perspective
This book is a seminal collection of essays that offers a profound analysis of the patterns of industrial development in Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as in Russia and Asia, challenging the traditional linear view of economic progress. The author introduces the concept of relative economic backwardness, arguing that the more backward an economy is at the outset of industrialization, the more likely certain institutional and governmental interventions will be necessary to overcome obstacles to development. The work emphasizes the role of banks, the state, and social attitudes in shaping the path of economic growth and highlights the diversity of industrialization processes, which can vary significantly from the experiences of early industrialized countries like Britain.
The 3266th Greatest Book of All Time