An agricultural revolution 1950–1975: A rejoinder*

Abstract

The concept of revolution in economic history is widespread and deeply rooted. In industry it is usually associated with mechanisation and the mass production of existing products (cotton cloth) or the introduction of completely new products (typewriters). The former was a characteristic of the first industrial revolution, the latter of the second one a century later. This revolutionary speeding-up in the process of change was not confined to manufacturing; it embraced transport, finance and above all agriculture. Indeed the agricultural revolution preceded or accompanied the industrial revolution in England and was based on new techniques.