Verena Halsmayer

Verena Halsmayer, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Vienna and a historian of economics, dives deep into the Solow growth model in her award-winning book. She discusses how economists transitioned post-WWII, emphasizing the importance of technology in growth. Halsmayer explores models as artifacts shaping policy and teaching, and the ambiguous nature that allows diverse political interpretations. The conversation highlights the intertwined histories of economics and science, along with her ongoing work on alternative participatory planning.

Verena Halsmayer, a historian of economics and science at the University of Vienna, discusses her award-winning book on the Solow growth model. She explores how this pivotal model shaped postwar economics, emphasizing the role of technological change. Verena highlights the model's simplicity and its impact on policy-making, revealing its ambiguous interpretations across various political contexts. Both she and the host examine the importance of focusing on practices rather than just ideas in understanding economic modeling.

Verena Halsmayer, a postdoctoral fellow from the University of Vienna, dives into her award-winning book that examines the Solow growth model, a pivotal concept in postwar economics. She discusses the historical journey of this model, its assumptions about technology, and its impact on policy. Verena emphasizes the importance of viewing economic reasoning as a practice rather than just theory. The conversation also touches on how the model influenced both interventionist policies and the complexities of measuring productivity and technology.