Helen Paul

Damaris Coffman, Professor at UCL, Craig Muldrew, a Cambridge economic historian, and Helen Paul from the University of Southampton delve into the ideology of mercantilism that shaped Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. They discuss the drive for exports and the critique by Adam Smith highlighting the flaws in mercantilism. The conversation explores the interplay between mercantilism and colonialism, along with its lasting influence on modern economics and the persistent debates over trade policies and globalization.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Adam Smith's celebrated economic treatise The Wealth of Nations. Smith was one of Scotland's greatest thinkers, a moral philosopher and pioneer of economic theory whose 1776 masterpiece has come to define classical economics. Based on his careful consideration of the transformation wrought on the British economy by the Industrial Revolution, and how it contrasted with marketplaces elsewhere in the world, the book outlined a theory of wealth and how it is accumulated that has arguably had more influence on economic theory than any other.With:Richard Whatmore Professor of Modern History and Director of the Institute of Intellectual History at the University of St AndrewsDonald Winch Emeritus Professor of Intellectual History at the University of SussexHelen Paul Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at the University of SouthamptonProducer: Thomas Morris.

Matthias Morys, a Senior Lecturer in Economic History at the University of York, and Helen Paul, a Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at the University of Southampton, dive into the transformative impact of the gold standard from 1870 to the 1970s. They explore how gold's availability boosted world trade and currency confidence, while discussing the constraints it imposed on governments during economic crises. The conversation also highlights the gold standard's involvement in the Great Depression and its legacy in shaping modern monetary systems.

D’Maris Coffman, an expert in economics at UCL, Craig Muldrew, a historian at Cambridge, and Helen Paul, an economic lecturer at Southampton, dive into the world of mercantilism. They explore how this economic philosophy dominated Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries, emphasizing export maximization and import minimization. The discussion highlights the conflicts arising from mercantilist trade policies and critiques by thinkers like Adam Smith. They also examine the evolution of these ideas in modern contexts, linking historical practices to today's economic challenges.

Matthew Watson, Professor of Political Economy, discusses David Ricardo's revolutionary theories on free trade and comparative advantage. Helen Paul provides insights into Ricardo’s tumultuous early life and financial savvy, shaped by historical events like the Battle of Waterloo. Richard Whatmore examines how Ricardo’s critiques of landlords intersected with societal class tensions. Together, they explore the lasting impact of Ricardo's ideas, including the intricate relationships between trade, war, and economic policy that continue to influence thinkers today.