From Antwerp and Amsterdam to London: The Decline of Financial Centres in Europe

摘要

This article traces the way that although financial centres could only grow up on a foundation of industry and commerce, they could survive for some time after industry and trade had moved elsewhere. It first discusses the survival of Venice as the financial centre for southern Europe, then the decline of Bruges in favour of Antwerp as the financial centre for northern Europe. Then it moves to the replacement of Antwerp by Amsterdam as the financial centre, by then of the whole of Europe, and of Amsterdam in its turn by London. It ends by asking how long London can remain the financial centre?