Books by Lars Magnusson

Following on from his 1994 volume Mercantilism ¿ The Shaping of an Economic Language, this new book from Lars Magnusson presents a more synthetic interpretation of Mercantilism not only as a theoretical system, but also as a system of political economy. This book incorporates samples of material from the 1994 publication alongside new material, ordered in a new set of chapters and up-date discussions on mercantilism up to the present day.

Presenting the history of three major cutlery districts in Western Europe, this study is a resource for research on industrial development in 19th century Europe. It challenges the flexible specialisation thesis and argues that growing businesses had to develop competitive strategies for control over important resources.

Since the days of Adam Smith, Mercantilism has been a hotly debated issue. Condemned at the end of the 18th century as a "false" system of economic thinking and political practice, it has returned paradoxically to the forefront in regard to issues such as the creation of economic growth in developing countries. This concept is often used in order to depict economic thinking and economic policy in early modern Europe; its meaning and content has been highly debated for over two hundred years. Following on from his 1994 volume Mercantilism - The Shaping of an Economic Language, this new book from Lars Magnusson presents a more synthetic interpretation of Mercantilism not only as a theoretical system, but also as a system of political economy. This book incorporates samples of material from the 1994 publication alongside new material, ordered in a new set of chapters and up-date discussions on mercantilism up to the present day. Tracing the development of a particular political economy of Mercantilism in a period of nascent state making in Western and Continental Europe from the 16th to the 18th century, the book describes how European rulers regarded foreign trade and industrialisation as a means to achieve power and influence amidst international competition over trades and markets. Returning to debates concerning whether Mercantilism was a system of power or of wealth, Magnusson argues that it is in fact was both, and that contemporaries almost without exception saw these goals as interconnected. He also emphasises that Mercantilism was an all-European issue in a time of trade wars and the struggle for international power and recognition. In examining these issues, this book offers an unrivalled modern synthesis of Mercantilist ideas and practices.

This four-volume set provides a collection of materials relating to the major debates about external trade in the 19th century. It represents a range of opinions, and combines materials by leading figures, as well as some rare but representative pieces from less well-known names.

This set is the most important and authoritative collection of mercantilist writings to date. In all some 26 texts are reproduced in their entirety and the collection is supplemented by a substantial introduction.

The industrial revolution and the creation of the modern (national) state are two of the main historical processes to have occurred during the nineteenth century. This book demonstrates that industrial transformation was very much connected to state and military interests and was bolstered by elite groups who served such interests.

Magnusson presents a detailed account of the development of mercantilism as a trend of economic thought during the 17th and 18th centuries and appraises its content and impact.

Represents the attempt to provide a comprehensive treatment of Sweden's economic development since the middle of the 18th century. This book traces the industrialisation, the political currents and the social ambitions, that transformed Sweden from a backward agrarian economy into what is regarded by many as a model welfare state.

An investigation of the invention of 'Free Trade vs Protectionism' debate in the 19th century and a look at the later interpretations of the ideas of Smith and Ricardo, and the classical economists by writers in Britain, Sweden and America.