Nutrition and Economic Development in the Eighteenth-Century Habsburg Monarchy

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The book presents a novel perspective on Austria's industrial expansion, linking it to human biology and nutrition. Komlos identifies a significant Malthusian crisis in the Habsburg lands during the late 18th century, driven by food shortages from rapid population growth. This crisis prompted government reforms that initiated Austria's industrial revolution. By comparing this "Austrian model" to Britain's industrial growth, he argues it can explain demographic and economic changes across Europe, emphasizing the crucial role of lifting food constraints for modern economic development.