An economic historian compares the long-run growth in average income for two nations. Nation A experienced a long period of economic flatness, followed by a gradual but sustained increase starting around the mid-17th century. Nation B also had a long period of flatness, but then experienced an exceptionally sudden and rapid acceleration of growth starting around the late 19th century. Which statement best analyzes the primary difference in the shape of these two 'hockey stick' growth patterns?

Identifying a National Economic Trajectory

Analysis of a Sharp Economic Takeoff

Match each country or region to the description that best characterizes its long-term historical pattern of economic growth in average income.

A nation's long-term economic growth path, characterized by centuries of near-zero growth followed by an extremely abrupt and rapid increase in average income beginning in the late 19th century, represents a fundamentally different economic phenomenon than the more gradual 'hockey stick' growth pattern that began elsewhere much earlier.

Characterizing a Rapid Economic Takeoff

An economic historian examines a graph of a country's average income from the year 1000 to 2000. The graph shows a long, flat line for nearly nine centuries, followed by an extremely sharp, near-vertical upward turn beginning around 1870. What does the sharpness of this upward turn most directly indicate about the country's economic transition?

Evaluating an Economic Historian's Claim

Imagine you are an economic historian analyzing a graph that shows the long-run average income for two countries. Country A's income shows a long period of flatness followed by a gradual, steady rise starting in the mid-17th century. Country B's income also shows a long flat period, but it is followed by an extremely sharp, almost vertical, upward turn beginning in the late 19th century. Which of the following historical examples does the pattern for Country B most closely resemble?

An economic historian is comparing the long-run growth in average income for two countries, both of which exhibit a 'hockey stick' pattern. Country X's growth began gradually around 1650. Country Y's growth began much later, around 1870, but was characterized by an extremely sharp and rapid upward turn. What is the most logical inference that can be drawn from the sharpness of Country Y's economic takeoff compared to Country X's?

Catch-Up Growth of 'Latecomer' Economies: India and China