State Corporatism and Proto-Industry focuses on the WÜ rttemberg worsted industry, an example of a "proto-industry" that arose in many parts of Europe preceding factory industrialization. It has been argued that these proto-industries broke down traditional society but this book suggests otherwise. With the help of the state, corporate institutions such as merchant companies and rural guilds, regulated every aspect of rural life and thus profoundly shaped early modern European economic, demographic and social development.

Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. The proto-industrialization debate; 3. Social institutions in early modern Württemberg; 4. The Black Forest worsted industry; 5. The finances of the proto-industrial guild; 6. Labour supply and entry restrictions; 7. Production volume and output controls; 8. Population growth and the family; 9. Corporate groups and economic development; 10. Corporatism and conflict; 11. Proto-industry and social institutions in Europe; 12. Conclusion; Bibliography, Index.