This collection of essays provides an introduction to 'proto-industrialization': the growth of export-oriented domestic industries which took place all over Europe between about 1500 and 1800. Often these industries expanded alongside agriculture, without advanced technology or centralised factories. Since the 1970s numerous theories have been proposed, arguing that proto-industrialization transformed demographic behaviour, social structure and traditional institutions, and was a major cause of capitalism and factory industrialisation. European Proto-Industrialization summarises the theories and criticisms, and includes chapters written by experts on different European countries. It provides an essential guide to an important, yet often confusing, field of economic and social history.

This collection of essays provides an up-to-date introduction to "protoindustrialization": the growth of rural export industries that took place all over Europe between about 1500 and 1800. Since the 1970s some historians have argued that protoindustrialization broke down traditional society and prepared the way for the industrial revolution. These studies survey the resulting debates and research and provide an essential guide to an important, yet often confusing field of economic and social history.

This new study provides an up-to-date survey of social and economic developments in early modern Eastern European rural societies. Markus Cerman revises the traditional images of mighty lords and poor, powerless 'serf peasants', discussing the theories which led to the assumption that serfdom existed throughout the region. Cerman contrasts the interpretation of a long-term backwardness with a fresh view of the legal, social and economic status of villagers, their living standards and their role in actively shaping rural communities. Featuring helpful tables, a glossary and a comprehensive bibliography, this is a stimulating reassessment for anyone studying this period and often neglected topic in European history.