Overview

Economic growth is the religion of the modern world. It promises a solution to the most basic drama of our human existence: wanting what we don’t have. But we live in a time when the frenzied pursuit of economic growth is jeopardizing the planet’s viability and our very survival as a species. How did we get to this point in human history? How did we allow the pursuit of growth to become the apotheosis of human development? To answer these questions, the distinguished economist Daniel Cohen takes us on a journey to understand human desire and the different registers on which it has expressed itself throughout history. He brings his panoramic grasp of the subject to bear on the key stages of social and economic development, from the Neolithic revolution to the digital age. The ideas of the great economists – from Adam Smith and Karl Marx to Joseph Schumpeter and John Maynard Keynes – are situated in their historical contexts and explained clearly and concisely. The result is a triumph of ambition and brevity: a history of the economy in 100 pages. This book – the final work written by Daniel Cohen – will appeal to anyone interested in the economy and in the tension between a limited world and unlimited desires that lies at the heart of the great challenges we face today.

Full Product Details

9781509568307

Table of Contents

Reviews

‘The latest book by Daniel Cohen is a real treat. First, the economic history of the world, from pre-agricultural societies to today. Then, how we emerged from the Malthusian trap and were able to increase real income, to how we suffer from the Easterlin paradox that getting richer is not making us happier. Followed by an exploration of tomorrow, from AI, to China, to global warming. None of the usual clichés; just insights and facts on every page. Enjoy.’ Olivier Blanchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology   ‘We are all fortunate to have this posthumous cri de coeur from the late Daniel Cohen. Economics benefits from the robust debate between the pro-growth advocates and anti-growth critics. With an analysis that ranges from the Neolithic revolution to the Barbie doll, Daniel has provided a spectacular example of the latter. He worried that, no sooner is one crisis solved, then another one is born. Scarcely is a Malthusian catastrophe averted before we find ourselves miserable with envy fuelled by our iPhones. Even the pro-growth advocates can be grateful to have such an eloquent opponent.’ William Easterly, New York University ""The latest book by Daniel Cohen is a real treat. First, the economic history of the world, from pre-agricultural societies to today. Then, how we emerged from the Malthusian trap and were able to increase real income, to how we suffer from the Easterlin paradox that getting richer is not making us happier. Followed by an exploration of tomorrow, from AI, to China, to global warming. None of the usual clichés; just insights and facts on every page. Enjoy."" Olivier Blanchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology   ""We are all fortunate to have this posthumous cri de coeur from the late Daniel Cohen. Economics benefits from the robust debate between the pro-growth advocates and anti-growth critics. With an analysis that ranges from the Neolithic revolution to the Barbie doll, Daniel has provided a spectacular example of the latter. He worried that, no sooner is one crisis solved, then another one is born. Scarcely is a Malthusian catastrophe averted before we find ourselves miserable with envy fuelled by our iPhones. Even the pro-growth advocates can be grateful to have such an eloquent opponent."" William Easterly, New York University

Author Information

Daniel Cohen (1953-2023) was a Professor of Economics at the École normale supérieure and founding member of the Paris School of Economics. His many books include Homo Economicus: The (Lost) Prophet of Modern Times (2014), Homo numericus (2024) and A Brief History of the Economy (2025).

Tab Content 6

Countries Available