Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through: The surprising story of Britain's economy from boom to bust and back again

Britain's history is complex, with a successful economy and some of the poorest areas in Europe. Understanding the past is essential to understanding the future, as debates about economic openness and sovereignty have dominated politics since 2010 and modern concerns about technology and inequality date back to Captain Swing and Ned Ludd. Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through tells the story of how Britain's economy and politics have interacted with each other from the Industrial Revolution to the pandemic of 2020.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The Financial Times has praised the book "Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through" for its comprehensive and nuanced coverage of economic and political history, spanning from the Industrial Revolution to the COVID-19 pandemic. The book, written by Adam Tooze, is described as "pitch perfect, fast-moving, brilliantly well-judged." It provides a clear yet subtle understanding of a wide range of historical events, from the spinning jenny to COVID-19.

ADITYA CHAKRABORTTY, writing in the Guardian, praised the book for its remarkable depth and intelligence, despite its chatty style. He noted that it covers a wide range of topics, from economic development to political ideologies, and does so in a way that is accessible to a broad audience.

MATTHEW SYED, in the Financial Times, also commended the book's depth and intelligence. He described it as "outstanding," noting that it combines a chatty style with a remarkable depth of knowledge. Syed highlighted the UK's complex history, characterized by its success as one of the world's most successful economies and its struggles as one of Europe's laggards. The book explores why this is the case, drawing on historical events and insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the country's economic and political development.

The debates about the balance between economic openness and sovereignty that re-emerged after Brexit would have been familiar to Peel and Cobden in the 1840s. The size of the government's deficit has dominated politics since 2010, but fretting about the scale of the national debt was almost a national pastime during Victoria's reign.

Supposedly modern concerns about the impacts of new technology on jobs and inequality date back to at least Captain Swing and Ned Ludd. As the economy emerges from the COVID-19 recession and sets out on a new post-Brexit future, an understanding of the past is vital to seeing how the future might play out.

"Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through" tells the story of how Britain's economy and politics have interacted with each other from the time of the Industrial Revolution right up to the pandemic of 2020. The book explores the various economic and political challenges that the country has faced throughout its history, including the rise of industrialization, the impact of imperialism, and the challenges of globalization. It also examines the role of government policies, such as trade regulations and social welfare programs, in shaping the country's economic and social development.

Overall, "Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through" is a valuable contribution to the field of economic and political history. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the past that is essential for understanding the present and shaping the future. The book's praise from esteemed reviewers such as the Financial Times, the Guardian, and Matthew Syed highlights its significance and the importance of engaging with historical knowledge to inform our understanding of the world.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 196 x 126 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349144276