Originally published in 1995, this book follows the preceding 4 volumes (Aisa, Africa, Latin America and Developed Countries) and discusses technological transformation in development history. It looks back on two centuries of history of the emergence of developed countries and examines the various aspects determining the speed, size and shape of the historical process of transformation in developed countries after World War 2.

Originally published in 1993, this book contains 3 studies from Finland, Greece and Japan. These countries were chosen because they experienced their technological transformation mainly during the 20th Century and it was considered that their experience would have some relevant lessons for the countries of the third world. Special attention is paid to Japan as its example has great relevance both for development theory and practical strategies.