Theory: P.Bernholz, M.E. Streit, R. Vaubel: Introduction and Overview.- D.C. North: The Rise of the Western World.- M.E. Streit: Comment.- H. Berman: The Western Legal Tradition: The Interaction of Revolutionary Innovation and Evolutionary Growth.- K. Seelmann: Comment.- D. Mueller: On the Decline of Nations.- R. Vaubel: Comment.- Case Studies: The Rise of Nations: J. von Ungern-Sternberg: Innovation in Early Greece: The Political Sphere.- P. Bernholz: International Competition Among States: Institutions, Market Regime and Innovations in Antiquity: A Comment and An Extension to the Cases of Sumer and Phoenicia.- J.-F. Bergier: The Resurgence during the Middle Ages: The Confused Dynamics of the Middle Ages.- U. Mummert: Comment.- F. Schmidt, U. Dirlmeier: 'Rise and Decline' in Italy and Upper Germany in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Times: An Essay.- O. Volckart: Comment.- P. Stabel: Economic Development, Urbanization and Political Organisation in the Late Medieval Southern Low Countries.- J. Israel: Comment.- J. de Vries: Innovation and Growth in the Netherlands: Searching for Explanations.- S. Pollard: Political Competition and the British Industrial Revolution.- M. Hartwell: Comment.- Decline: H. Leppin: Decline and Recovery: The Case of Rome.- I.A.A. Thompson: The Decline of Spain.- J. Zunckel: The Decline of Spain and the Genoese Era of Capitalism.- About the Authors.