Daniel Cohen (1953-2023) was a Professor of Economics at the École normale supérieure and founding member of the Paris School of Economics. His many books include Homo Economicus: The (Lost) Prophet of Modern Times (2014), Homo numericus (2024) and A Brief History of the Economy (2025).

"The latest book by Daniel Cohen is a real treat. First, the economic history of the world, from pre-agricultural societies to today. Then, how we emerged from the Malthusian trap and were able to increase real income, to how we suffer from the Easterlin paradox that getting richer is not making us happier. Followed by an exploration of tomorrow, from AI, to China, to global warming. None of the usual clichés; just insights and facts on every page. Enjoy."Olivier Blanchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology "We are all fortunate to have this posthumous cri de coeur from the late Daniel Cohen. Economics benefits from the robust debate between the pro-growth advocates and anti-growth critics. With an analysis that ranges from the Neolithic revolution to the Barbie doll, Daniel has provided a spectacular example of the latter. He worried that, no sooner is one crisis solved, then another one is born. Scarcely is a Malthusian catastrophe averted before we find ourselves miserable with envy fuelled by our iPhones. Even the pro-growth advocates can be grateful to have such an eloquent opponent."William Easterly, New York University

• Preface by Esther DufloIntroduction1.   Genesis 2.   Prometheus Unbound 3.   Prosperity and Depression4.   The Golden Age, And Its Crisis5.   The New Financial Capitalism6.   Globalisation7.   The Digital Revolution 8.   The Environmental Crisis9.   Gross Domestic HappinessConclusionAfterword by Michael CohenNotes

Daniel Cohen (1953-2023) was a Professor of Economics at the École normale supérieure and founding member of the Paris School of Economics. His many books include Homo Economicus: The (Lost) Prophet of Modern Times (2014), Homo numericus (2024) and A Brief History of the Economy (2025).

"The latest book by Daniel Cohen is a real treat. First, the economic history of the world, from pre-agricultural societies to today. Then, how we emerged from the Malthusian trap and were able to increase real income, to how we suffer from the Easterlin paradox that getting richer is not making us happier. Followed by an exploration of tomorrow, from AI, to China, to global warming. None of the usual clichés; just insights and facts on every page. Enjoy."Olivier Blanchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology "We are all fortunate to have this posthumous cri de coeur from the late Daniel Cohen. Economics benefits from the robust debate between the pro-growth advocates and anti-growth critics. With an analysis that ranges from the Neolithic revolution to the Barbie doll, Daniel has provided a spectacular example of the latter. He worried that, no sooner is one crisis solved, then another one is born. Scarcely is a Malthusian catastrophe averted before we find ourselves miserable with envy fuelled by our iPhones. Even the pro-growth advocates can be grateful to have such an eloquent opponent."William Easterly, New York University

• Preface by Esther DufloIntroduction1.   Genesis 2.   Prometheus Unbound 3.   Prosperity and Depression4.   The Golden Age, And Its Crisis5.   The New Financial Capitalism6.   Globalisation7.   The Digital Revolution 8.   The Environmental Crisis9.   Gross Domestic HappinessConclusionAfterword by Michael CohenNotes

Daniel Cohen (1953-2023) was a Professor of Economics at the École normale supérieure and founding member of the Paris School of Economics. His many books include Homo Economicus: The (Lost) Prophet of Modern Times (2014), Homo numericus (2024) and A Brief History of the Economy (2025).

"The latest book by Daniel Cohen is a real treat. First, the economic history of the world, from pre-agricultural societies to today. Then, how we emerged from the Malthusian trap and were able to increase real income, to how we suffer from the Easterlin paradox that getting richer is not making us happier. Followed by an exploration of tomorrow, from AI, to China, to global warming. None of the usual clichés; just insights and facts on every page. Enjoy."Olivier Blanchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology "We are all fortunate to have this posthumous cri de coeur from the late Daniel Cohen. Economics benefits from the robust debate between the pro-growth advocates and anti-growth critics. With an analysis that ranges from the Neolithic revolution to the Barbie doll, Daniel has provided a spectacular example of the latter. He worried that, no sooner is one crisis solved, then another one is born. Scarcely is a Malthusian catastrophe averted before we find ourselves miserable with envy fuelled by our iPhones. Even the pro-growth advocates can be grateful to have such an eloquent opponent."William Easterly, New York University

• Preface by Esther DufloIntroduction1.   Genesis 2.   Prometheus Unbound 3.   Prosperity and Depression4.   The Golden Age, And Its Crisis5.   The New Financial Capitalism6.   Globalisation7.   The Digital Revolution 8.   The Environmental Crisis9.   Gross Domestic HappinessConclusionAfterword by Michael CohenNotes