INSTRUCTIONS:

Question:

Both Mokyr and Henrich argue that Western Europe, in the case of Mokyr, and the West more generally, for Henrich, have developed a set of cultural and psychological characteristics that set the West on a very different pathway of economic, scientific and social development compared to the rest of the world. First, briefly outline each author’s explanation for why this Great Divergence took place. Second, do you find one author’s explanation more convincing than the other? Why? Use 6 pages for this answer.

Avoid vague responses with minimal reference to the written course material. You must make extensive use of the assigned readings for the course. Show what you know and have learned. Work on writing good, analytic essays.

Important notes:
• Focus on the “why.”
• Evaluate authors’ argument, are if their explanation is convincing.
• Use 12-point type, double space, and set margins to 1 inch on all sides.
• Use a cover page with your name and student number.
• Make sure the pages are numbered.
• A strong answer will make explicit and thoughtful use of the course readings.
• It is not a research assignment, so no outside material is required.
• You will be graded on your comprehension of the course material.
• Use citations where appropriate. Please use in-text citations (Milner 2008, 45), rather than footnotes or endnotes.