Pandemics and Economic History

This chapter explores the historical impact of pandemics on the economy, analyzing significant events such as the Black Death and the Spanish flu to uncover patterns in labor dynamics and market responses. It emphasizes the importance of learning from past health crises to navigate current economic challenges, highlighting the often overlooked lessons that history provides. The discussion also examines the interplay between pandemics, economic productivity, and shifts in wage structures, stressing that the effects of these shocks are complex and long-lasting.