The Economic History Podcast

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Economic Experiments in Extremism Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Today, we meet Professor Hans-Joachim Voth to discuss some of his work on the economic forces around religious and political epochs characterised by extremism. We begin by reviewing the long term economic effects of the Spanish Inquisition and consider the historical roots of anti-semitism in explaining Nazi support centuries later. Finally, we look at how "social capital" may have negative effects in garnering support for extremist movements and look at the effects of road building on political votes for the Nazi party.

Lessons from the Great Depression Jun 29, 2021

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Professor Peter Temin's 'Lessons from the Great Depression' remains a standard classic three decades since its publication. In today's episode, Peter talks about the Great Depression's lessons for today's policy makers and the use of fiscal policy with and without a gold standard. We also consider how the existing theories available to each generation influence their policy makers in their choices.

The Corporation through Time: Theory, Mergers and the issues of Bigness Jun 16, 2021

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This week, we hear from Prof. Naomi Lamoreaux on her work on the evolution of the corporation through time. We start with trying to define what a firm is, cover the motivations behind and the consequences of mergers. We look to a past example of a giant corporation and put it in the context of the present. Is "bigness" of some firms a problem and if so, how might we attempt to deal with it?

Creativity, Well-being and the Influence of Composers since 1450 Jun 01, 2021

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This week, Prof. Karol Jan Borowiecki discusses his research on composers' creativity and consider some of the factors that influence the process: emotions, geography and instruction. We review some of the most innovative ways that Karol's work in economic history measures emotions, creative output and the transmission of ideas and consider the relevance of these to our understanding of long term economic growth.

Bretton Woods 50 Years On May 19, 2021

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Today, we meet Prof. Eric Monnet of the Paris School of Economics and discuss the monetary system that emerged after World War II- Bretton Woods. After covering how it theoretically operated, Eric takes us through the details of how it functioned in reality. We look at the nostalgia for gold amongst some central bankers, the co-operation that distinguished the BW system from the Gold exchange standard and consider new interpretations on the underlying causes of the system's ultimate demise.

The Maddison Project and Counting the Consequences of Colonialism in Africa May 05, 2021

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In this episode, we meet Prof. Jutta Bolt to discuss the collaborative effort of the Maddison project, which standardizes international income statistics to compare living standards over time and space. We look at some of Jutta’s research on the relationship between slavery and economic growth, as well as discussing how pre-colonial institutions influenced colonial institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. We finish with a review of some of her new work on historical income inequality in sub-Saharan Africa.

BONUS: The Industrial Revolution: History, Causes and Consequences Apr 21, 2021

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Professor Nicholas Crafts discusses some important developments in our interpretations of the Industrial Revolution over recent decades. We discuss how Nick's work, along with that of others, has led to a more sober interpretation of the productivity performance of the British economy during the first Industrial Revolution. Some of the most prominent theories of the root causes of the Industrial Revolution are covered as well as potential "disadvantages" of being the first country to experience modern economic growth.

Africa in the World Economy: Growth, Shrinking and Debt Apr 06, 2021

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In this episode, we meet Dr. Leigh Gardner to consider the experience of a number of former British colonies in Africa. We review the literature and Leigh's work on the cost of financing and operating former colonies and compare their debt and borrowing experiences with other regions. We also discuss her recent work on constructing national accounts for eight African economies 1885-2008 and review their experiences over the long run. The magnitude and frequency of economic shrinking stands out as a major brake to economic convergence in the cases considered.

The Dreadful Childhood and Long Shadow of American Slavery Feb 16, 2021

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In this episode, we speak with Professor Richard Steckel on his extensive work using height, nutritional, fertility and mortality data to explain the tragic outcomes of American slave health. We discuss the marriage and fertility patterns of slaves and consider what these implied for their children. After slave liberation, we look at the potential labour market facing freed slaves and the legal and violent backlash visited upon their children's generation.

Financial Systems and Growth Feb 02, 2021

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In this episode, Prof. Richard Sylla talks us through the process of building up a currency union in the U.S. following independence in 1776. We also consider the key ingredients for a successful "financial revolution", drawing on international examples from economic history. In addition, the relationship between modern financial systems and subsequent economic growth is discussed with reference to Sylla's own work.

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