Why are some countries rich and others poor? When does inequality trigger social conflict? How do financial crises occur? With a historical perspective, we can reach in-depth understanding how to answer these questions.
Within economic history, production, distribution and consumption are studied, as well as the social and institutional conditions in the past. Here we examine the conditions of business, the work of women and men, changed consumption habits, the foundations of the welfare state, the history of economic thinking, the effects of globalization on low-wage countries and the consequences of growth for the climate.
The subject provides unique opportunities to understand today's major social issues by putting them in a longer time perspective.
