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Epstein, Stephan R. (1998). "Craft Guilds, Apprenticeship and Technological Change in Preindustrial Europe." The Journal of Economic History, 58, 3, (684-713). Alhtough not the central topic in the paper, this excellent paper shows that Europe became the center of economic growth because the diversity of and competition between regions and political units acted as an insurance policy against inertia. When one region would decline in its innovative ability, another region would take over the leadership role withing Europe.