Victoria Bateman

Why does the interest you pay on your credit card or your mortgage rate go up and down? What’s the Bank of England got to do with it all? In this episode, Tim Harford explains why the banks need to charge you interest when you borrow money and explains why the Bank of England might put interest rates up. Economic historian Victoria Bateman tells us why the Bank of England first lent money to the government. Spoiler alert…. it was to wage war.Everything you need to know about the economy and what it means for you. This podcast will cut through the jargon to bring you clarity and ensure you finally understand all those complicated terms and phrases you hear on the news. Inflation, GDP, Interest rates, and bonds, Tim Harford and friends explain them all. We’ll ensure you understand what’s going on today, why your shopping is getting more expensive or why your pay doesn’t cover your bills. We’ll also bring you surprising histories, from the war-hungry kings who have shaped how things are counted today to the greedy merchants flooding Spain with silver coins. So if your eyes usually glaze over when someone says ‘cutting taxes stimulates growth’, fear no more, we’ve got you covered.Guest: Richard Davies, Professor of Economics at Bristol UniversityProducer: Phoebe KeaneResearchers: Drew Hyndman and Marianna BrainEditor: Clare FordhamTheme music: Don’t Fret, Beats Fresh MusicA BBC Long Form Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

Victoria Bateman, a feminist economist and author of "Economica," dives into the hidden roles women have played in shaping economic history. She discusses remarkable figures like Priscilla Wakefield and Julia Felix, highlighting their contributions to finance and commerce. The conversation explores the correlation between women's participation in the workforce and economic prosperity, from the market queens of West Africa to the Industrial Revolution. Bateman urges a re-examination of historical narratives to understand how women's involvement can guide our economic future.

In this discussion, economic historian Victoria Bateman explores untold stories of women in wealth and power over the ages. She highlights remarkable figures like Phryne of Athens and Priscilla Wakefield, who paved the way for women in finance. Bateman dives into how early agricultural innovations were led by women and examines surprising gender parity in places like Çatalhöyük. The conversation also tackles the Industrial Revolution's impact, revealing how systemic exclusion shaped female opportunities. It's a fascinating look at women's hidden contributions to the economy.