First published in 1970, Australian Economic Development in the Twentieth Century analyses aspects of Australian economic development in the twentieth century and places them in historical and international perspective. In Australia, the nineteenth century has been studied much more intensively than the twentieth, and in this latter period the long-run examination of almost any economic topic must break new ground. The main economic histories of the period were written either before the Second World War or come close to general history. Earlier works have naturally dated, and little has been done to integrate the periods before and after the war.

The book takes a step towards filling a wide gap in our understanding of Australian development and covers the period from the depression of the 1890s right up to the 1960s. It is the product of a team of Australia’s economic historians working together, but each sovereign on his own special subject. This volume will appeal not only to economic historians but to a wider public interested in Australia’s history.