The diffusion of modern iron and steel technology in France, Spain and Italy

Abstract

The intent of this study is to illustrate the limited usefulness, for the purposes of economic history, of the neoclassical aggregate concept of capital formation, i,e., a simple percentage of GNP saved and invested and an aggregate fixed rate of technical progress, and to emphasize the necessity of a deeper scrutiny of the process of technological change by focussing on a distinct and varying aspect of capital accumulation and technological change such as the process of technical sectoral diffusion among countries. Three national cases of capital accumulation are used to develop this approach: France, Spain and Italy. In each of them, the growth of the iron and steel sector during the nineteenth century is examined.