What Can We Learn From the Impact of Inflation in Europe?

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From about 1500, real wages across Europe start to fall. But they don't regain their purchasing power until the late 19th century. And I think in a way more interestingly, there were very large political effects. So really the consequences of the inflation research were profound on almost every level.

In 2022 global inflation spiked at a rate not seen in decades. A look at the world’s very first such bout reveals eerie echoes of today’s woes—and lessons for tackling them. Our correspondent meets Indonesia’s Baduy people, for whom modernity is encroaching on strict religious and ascetic ways. And our data team finds that favourite dog breeds vary by country. Additional music courtesy of Wim van Zanten. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer