The Rise of the City: Adam Smith Versus Henri Pirenne
Louis A. Dow
In recent years a great deal has been written about the problems and processes of economic growth, particularly as they pertain to econom? ically less developed countries world. At same time, much attention paid intellectual legacies these contemporary theories growth. Consequently, there is some danger mis? placed emphasis on contributions forerunners in this area thought. A good illustration may be considerable given Henri Pirenne's theory urban-economic growth,1 while strikingly similar by Adam Smith at least hundred twenty-five earlier neglected.2 Actually was little that new urban development. Not only had presented ideas, along with basic historical analysis The Wealth Nations, he also his concepts reasoning more systematic, analytical manner.3 retrospect, it seems all Pirenne did add bit evidence Smith's model economic-historical Perhaps, famous historian aware economist's work, might have taken quite different approach revival commerce, towns, general growth during period tenth through thirteenth centuries. purposes paper, therefore, are place respective contribu? tions perspective small part history thought and, so doing, state explicitly possible.
Review of Social Economy