The Fall of Rome and the Great Divergence

In this podcast episode, Professor Walter Scheidel discusses his research on the fall of the Roman Empire and its connection to the Great Divergence. Scheidel argues that there was no comprehensive empire in Western Europe after the fall of Rome, unlike other parts of the world such as China and the Middle East where empires tended to rise and fall repeatedly. The absence of a dominant empire in Western Europe led to a break in political unity and economic integration, which ultimately contributed to the economic and political rise of Northwestern Europe. Scheidel examines various factors that played a role in the success of the Roman Empire, including the combination of imperial power and a susceptible periphery. He also explores counterfactual scenarios to highlight key junctures where the potential for reestablishing an empire in Europe may have existed. Additionally, Scheidel delves into the concept of the Great Divergence, which refers to the economic and military superiority of Northwestern Europe and North America in the modern era. He analyzes different explanations for the Great Divergence, such as trade, institutional factors, and resources like those derived from the New World. Scheidel's research raises questions about the role of empire and its impact on economic development and global power dynamics.