For centuries following the spread of Islam, the Middle East was far ahead of Europe. Yet, the modern economy was born in Europe. Why was it not born in the Middle East? In this book Jared Rubin examines the role that Islam played in this reversal of fortunes. It argues that the religion itself...

North Korea is one of the most closed and secretive societies in the world. Despite a high level of interest from the outside world, we have very little detailed information about how the country functions economically. In this valuable book for both the academic and policy-making circles,...

Introduction -- The Political Economy of Raw Materials in the Global Paper Industry 1861-1960 -- The Esparto Grass Trade -- The Pursuit of Wood Pulp -- Bamboo for Papermaking -- The Paper Trade and the British Empire -- A Retrospective View of the British Paper Industry -- Conclusions.