Economic History

obligatory courses

The course presents the evolution of European and world economy and enlarges knowledge about the genesis of modern economy, the institutional constraints of the economic growth. Students know the historical context of the origins and development of the economic theories, course gives a solid foundation for the studies of contemporary micro- and macroeconomics. Student recognize economic and civilizational cycles as well as the evolution of economic sciences during the process of the rise of the modern world. Student is able to evaluate on a basic level the advantages and disadvantages of both, positivist and anti-positivist socio-economic explanations in economic sciences.

The aim of the course is also to develop abilities of critical reading, academic writing and the communication skills. Student is able to prepare an academic paper, formulate research hypotheses and prepare an oral presentation.

Introduction and the main topics

Stages of economic development, basic concepts: civilization, development, progress, modernity; long-term trends in economic history. Population, production, productivity, living standards. Technologies and innovations. From traditional to modern economy. "Center" and the "peripheries". The problem of "long duration" and "dependence path". Institutions and their importance. (4h)

Academic writing

The construction of the paper (how to write introduction and conclusions, parts of the paper). How to prepare notes, different styles of the notes. Proposal of the paper. The categories of data and sources of information. Where to find the sources and materials (8h)

The feudal system in Europe - birth, blossom, crisis

The collapse of the ancient/Roman economy; the political system and economy in the early Middle Ages; the emergence of the feudal system in Europe and its evolution; the agricultural system from the fall of the Roman Empire to the 10th century; agricultural development in the Middle Ages (10th to 13th century); the crisis of the agricultural economy in the late Middle Ages and its consequences (14th to 15th century). (4h)

Urban economy and the trade in Medieval Europe

The collapse of ancient urban centers and the disappearance of trade and crafts in Western Europe in the early Middle Ages; the nature of trade and crafts in the early Middle Ages; the revival of urban life in Europe at the turn of the first Millennium; the system of medieval cities; the organization of crafts and trade (guilds); the trade routes and large trade centers (Venice, Genoa, Dutch cities), the importance of the Hanseatic League for the development of trade in Northern Europe; the economic crisis in the 14th century. Demographic changes in the Middle Ages. (4h)

Geographical discoveries and their significance

Reasons for geographical discoveries; organization of Portuguese expeditions in the 15th century (the importance of Henry the Sailor and the Sagres center); the expedition of Columbus and the discovery of America; the comparison of the organization of the Portuguese and Spanish colonial empires; the importance of the discoveries for the Iberian economies; the impact of the geographical discoveries on the European economy; the price revolution in Europe. (4h)

Centralized State in modern Europe

Late Medieval State: the appearance of French States-Generals in the 14th century. The idea of a centralized state (strengthening the position of a monarch) in the late Middle Ages. Crucial features of the centralized state: treasury, administration, organization of the army. The concept of an absolute state. Centralized state and economy: from the domain state to the tax state. New model of state and social changes in Europe. (4h)

The economy of modern Europe (XVI-XVIII century).

Bullionism and mercantilism; evolution in artisanal production; changes in trade methods and organization: trading companies; development of financial institutions: the first big banks; two-track development of agriculture in Europe – agrarian dualism and its consequences; the "golden age" of the Dutch economy in the 17th century; new organization of international trade and domination of Dutch merchants in Europe; the role of Amsterdam in the European/global economy in the 17th century. (4h)

The English industrial revolution.

English capitalism: the conditions for the early industrialization of Britain (from fencing, through social revolution to institutional change), preconditions, technical progress and innovation. Leading (cutting edge) technologies: textile industry, metallurgy and coal mining. Mechanization of industry. The socio-economic and demographic changes in England during the industrial revolution. (4h)

The second industrial revolution.

Britain and its followers, early and late industrialization, the center and periphery of the world economy: preconditions and determinants, industrialization models and regional variants, changes in international power relations, the era of free trade, liberalism versus protectionism, new technologies in industry, innovation, old and new industrial powers, new business models, social change, the demographic explosion and international migration. (4h)

World Wars and the economy in the interwar period.

The causes of world wars, their long-term consequences for national and world economies; the Great (First) World War and economic disintegration, the Great Depression: origins and course. New role of the state in the economy. State interventionism. Totalitarian economies (Germany, the USSR) and the war economy. World War II and the creation of a bipolar world. (4h)

The world economy after 1945.

The U.S. as global hegemon, the Cold War, the reform of capitalism and the welfare state, the "Golden Thirties" in Europe, the regulatory processes in the economy and economic growth, the evolution of institutions and forms of enterprises, the state in the economy, decolonization and its trajectories. The First, Second and Third World. Pax Americana. Winners and losers of the new world order. (4h)

The 1970s crisis. The world economy after the crisis. Welfare-state problems.

The crisis of the 1970s and new paradigms in economic policy; a mature Soviet-type economy, its collapse and the world after the collapse of the communist system, deindustrialization and structural changes in the world economy, international finances, deregulation and growing international interdependence, economic crises after 1970, a new wave of globalization, a crisis of the welfare state. (4h)

Cameron R. i L. Neale, Historia gospodarcza świata. Od paleolitu do czasów najnowszych. Warszawa 2004.

Braudel F., Kultura materialna, gospodarka i kapitalizm, XV-XVIII wiek, t. 2, Gry wymiany, Warszawa 1992.

Berger P. L., Rewolucja kapitalistyczna, Warszawa 1995.

Ferguson N., Potęga pieniądza. Finansowa historia świata, Wydawnictwo Literackie 2010.

Ingham G., Kapitalizm, Warszawa 2011.

Kennedy P., Mocarstwa świata. Narodziny. Rozkwit. Upadek, Warszawa 1995.

Jezierski A. i C. Leszczyńska, Historia gospodarcza Polski, Warszawa 1997.

Landes D.S., Bogactwo i nędza narodów. Dlaczego jedni są tak bogaci, a inni tak ubodzy, Warszawa 2000.

Państwo socjalne w Europie, red. K. Kraus, T. Geisen, K. Piątek, Toruń 2001.

Rousseau P., Historical Perspectives on Financial Development and Economic Growth, National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper, 2002, No. 9333.

Rousseau P., Sylla R., Financial systems, economic growth, and globalization, National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper, 2001, No. 8323.

Sedillot R., Moralna i niemoralna historia pieniądza, Warszawa 2002.

Skodlarski J., Matera R., Gospodarka światowa. Geneza i rozwój, Warszawa 2004.

Szpak J., Historia gospodarcza powszechna, Warszawa 2003.

Recommended readings will be given direct by course lectures on seminar.

Knowledge:

The course enlarges the student’s knowledge about the evolution of European and world economy. Students understand the genesis of today’s economy and know the institutional constraints of the modern economic growth. The classes unveil that the economy was still evolving in the history and now we observe only a stage in its development. The course presents the historical context of the origins and development of the economic theories; gives a solid foundation for the future studies of contemporary micro- and macroeconomics.

Competences:

Upon completion of the course student is able to perform basic analyses of the long term economic processes in a broader social, political, ecological and demographic context. He/she is able to recognize economic and civilizational cycles as well as the evolution of economic sciences during the process of the rise of the modern world. Student is able to evaluate on a basic level the advantages and disadvantages of both, positivist and anti-positivist socio-economic explanations in economic sciences. Student, after one semester of systematic work, is able to prepare an academic paper, formulate research hypotheses, and prepare an oral presentation.

Social competences:

Upon completion of the course student is prepared to work in the team, he/she can organize the collective work, is responsible for his/her tasks. Student is able to find out data and information by their own and then properly analyze them. Student is able to formulate the research question and prepare the essay. The course is also designed to develop the competences of critical thinking, analyzing problems and identifying information as well as the public presentations and discussions. In addition, student is able to identify his/her incompetence and lack of knowledge, and is conscious of the lifetime-learning process. Students are prepared for the public presentations, discussions and critical analyze of the opinions of others. They are able to identify their incompetence and lack of knowledge, and are conscious of the lifetime-learning process.

KW01, KW02, KW03, KU01, KU02, KU03, KU04,

For credit and grade the students are expected to:

1. Pass a written final exam.

2. Prepare oral presentation (ca. 30 min. long.).

3. Prepare a paper of 10-15 pages (18-27tsd. chars).

4. Participate actively in classes.

5. Presence a lectures mandatory.

6. Four (1,5 h) absences possible.