Angus Maddison visited Nova University at Lisbon in 1986 and that is where we first met.
I already knew of his work, since my late father, himself an economic historian, had mentioned its
importance to me many years previously. It was therefore with some nostalgia that, as newly appointed
President of the Development Centre, I found myself involved with Angus on a regular basis.
The Development Centre’s association with Angus Maddison is a very long one. He was present
at the birth of the Development Centre, influenced its evolution and the character of its research. In
many ways, the Centre is indissociable from him. This is one reason why the writing of this extraordinary
history of the world economy should have been entrusted to him. In addition, Angus is possibly the
greatest living chiffrephile, as demonstrated by his earlier work for the Centre, most notably: The
World Economy 1820–1992 and Chinese Economic Performance in the Long Run, both of which
have become works of reference in quantitative economic history the world over.
The Development Centre is preoccupied with the place of governance in the new world order.
Our research effort is directed towards helping countries to find ways of reforming governance systems
at every level of society. This is also a constant theme in this book. Throughout the thousand years
under consideration, governance can be seen as a factor which either advantaged or disadvantaged
growth. We therefore remain convinced that this is a vital issue confronting developing societies
today. We are also persuaded that OECD countries have themselves a responsibility to implement
good governance and to encourage it elsewhere.
Jorge Braga de Macedo
President
OECD Development Centre
April 2001