This course examines how the world economy got to be where it is today. In particular the course will focus on the divergence between rich and poor countries, provide an assessment of the factors explaining the success of rich countries and the obstacles hindering growth in poor countries. Special attention will be devoted to quantitative assessments of long term trends in living standards and in economic performance.

Course outline
1. Economic growth and living standards in the very long run (10000 BC - 2011 AD)
2. The foundations of European exceptionalism: institutions, trade and geography
3. The great divergence: when and why the West grow rich
4. The industrial revolution and the transition to “modern economic growth"
5. The productivity race: convergence and divergence in the world economy since the
industrial revolution
6 The first and second globalization: trade, migrations, capital flows
7 Did economic policies matter help or harm economic growth?