Technological Innovation And The Great Depression

by Richard Szostak

Overview

I have always been intrigued by the enigma of the Great Depression, perhaps because my parents often told tales of their experience of the 1930s in drought-stricken western Canada. Only in the late 1980s, though, did I begin to develop the theoretical approach of this book. I was helped at an early stage by a paper presentation at Northwestern University, and the lengthy conversations with Joel Mokyr and Lou Cain which that entailed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367289607
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/07/2019
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.81(w) x 9.19(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Rick Szostak is associate professor of economics at the University of Alberta.

Table of Contents

List of Tables — Acknowledgements — PART ONE — THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS — 1. The Great Depression Revisited — 2. Questions Unanswered — 3. Building a New Theoretical Approach: Consumption and Investment — 4. The New Theory: Technological Change — 5. The Labor Market — PART TWO — SECTORAL ANALYSIS — 6. The Procedure for Sectoral Analysis — 7. Chemicals — 8. Electrical Products — 9. Internal Combustion — 10. Selected Other Industries — 11. Non-Manufacturing Sectors — 12. Summary of Sectoral Studies — 13. International and Regional Comparisons — 14. Conclusion — Bibliography — Index — About the Book and Author.

Editorial Reviews

Argues that both consumption and investment fell precipitously in early 1929 because technological innovation had made it possible to manufacture the existing range of products with less labor, but had not developed new products. Combining a fresh theoretical perspective with industry-level analysis, Szostak (economics, U. of Alberta) looks at employment and technology in specific sectors and trends in income distribution, population, and other factors. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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