The Economic and Political History Podcast

Julia Cagé, a professor at Sciences Po and co-author with Thomas Piketty, delves into the intricate political landscape of France. She explains how historical inequalities shaped modern electoral coalitions through a detailed analysis of over 200 years of election data. Cagé discusses the shifts from bipartisan to tripartite politics, revealing how socioeconomic changes impact voter alignment today. She warns of the risks posed by political instability and the rise of the radical right, while advocating for policies that could unite urban and rural voters against growing divides.

Kimberly Bowes, a Professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, explores the overlooked stories of ordinary Romans in her work. She shares fascinating tales of everyday people like tenant farmers and moneylenders, revealing the complex economic challenges they faced. The discussion covers how ancient lower classes contributed to a consumer revolution and managed multiple income sources. Bowes also addresses the nuances of labor, gender, and the struggle for financial stability in a society marked by inequality.

Patricia Owens, a Professor at the University of Oxford and author of 'Erased: A History of International Thought Without Men', sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in the field of International Relations. She discusses how women have been instrumental in shaping international thought since the early 20th century, despite facing systemic marginalization. Joined by Javier Mejia, they explore the legacies of women at institutions like Chatham House and argue for a more inclusive understanding of the discipline that acknowledges diverse perspectives.

In this engaging conversation, William T. Taylor, an assistant professor and curator at the University of Colorado, discusses the profound influence of horses on human history. He reveals how the bond between humans and horses started in the grasslands and transformed societies through advancements in transportation and military power. Delving into the intriguing timeline of horse domestication, Taylor challenges traditional views and shares insights from archaeozoology. Javier Mejia adds depth with his expertise in economic history, connecting the dots between these ancient practices and modern implications.

In this engaging discussion, Ola Olsson, a Professor at the University of Gothenburg, dives into the intriguing blend of economics and prehistory. He explores the evolution of human economies from hunter-gatherer societies to agriculture, underlining how climate and technology shaped development. The conversation touches on the complexities of using modern data to infer insights about prehistoric life and the ethical dimensions of this research. Olsson also emphasizes the relevance of understanding economic history in tackling today's wealth disparities and environmental challenges.

In this insightful discussion, Rory Naismith, a professor specializing in early medieval history, delves into the significance of coined money during the tumultuous period after the Roman Empire. He reveals how scarce coins functioned as social and economic tools, connecting individuals to broader structures. Challenging the notion of a complete collapse, Naismith emphasizes the complex interplay between economy, state, and society. He also discusses the moral implications of coinage, the role of landholding elites, and contrasts Western Europe's monetary evolution with that of Byzantium and the Islamic world.

Interview with Luis Schenoni, author of 'Bringing War Back In. Victory, defeat, and the state in nineteenth-century Latin America'Since Charles Tilly’s claim that “war made the state,” scholars have viewed the bellicist account of state formation through a European lens. In Europe, war drove rulers to tax, conscript, and build bureaucracies, culminating in powerful states. Yet  Latin America's  wars were thought to be too infrequent and externally financed to foster state capacity. Bringing War Back In (Cambridge University Press, 2024) shows nineteenth-century Latin America faced more wars than Europe, which shaped state development, not through mobilization alone but via the long-term effect of war outcomes. Victorious states legitimized wartime institutions, consolidating state capacity, while defeated states suffered lasting decline. Leveraging statistics and archival evidence the book shows how international threats systematically triggered state building and how victors and losers were set into divergent paths that rigidified in a peaceful twentieth century. Because all Latin American states survived their wars, and experienced then a long-lasting peace in the twentieth century, this region allows for a complete understanding of bellicist theory that considers the post-war phase in the long run. Overall, the book offers a new and compelling explanation for the levels of state capacity (and development) that we see today both within Latin America and beyond.-------Javier Mejia is a Stanford University lecturer who specializes in the intersection of social networks and economic history. His research interests also include entrepreneurship and political economy, with a particular focus on Latin America and the Middle East. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Los Andes University. Mejia has previously been a Postdoctoral Associate and Lecturer at New York University-Abu Dhabi and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Bordeaux. He is also a frequent contributor to various news outlets, currently serving as an op-ed columnist for Forbes Magazine.Twitter (X): ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/JavierMejiaC⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/javier_mejia_c/⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-mejia-cubillos/⁠⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@javiermejia5309?si=LEy5CuqD83qVB8jd

Volha Charnysh, an MIT Associate Professor and author of 'Uprooted', delves into the intriguing consequences of post-WWII population transfers. Exploring how integrating displaced populations can bolster state building and local economies, she discusses the dual effects of increased cultural diversity and initial social disruption. The talk highlights how diverse migrant inflows can spur gains in entrepreneurship and education over time. Additionally, Charnysh contrasts the historical and modern handling of forced migration and its implications for citizenship and societal integration.

In this engaging discussion, Josephine Quinn, an esteemed ancient historian, challenges the traditional narratives of Western culture by linking it to a diverse tapestry of ancient civilizations spanning 4,000 years. She argues that the roots of the modern West are intertwined with contributions from Babylon, Phoenician innovations, and Arabic scholarship. They dive into the significance of Minoan civilization, the transformation of Mediterranean sailing, and the complexities of Phoenician identity. Quinn advocates for a history that celebrates connection rather than separation.

Agustina Paglayan, an Assistant Professor at UC San Diego and author of 'Raised to Obey', discusses the unsettling origins of mass education. She reveals that the push for universal primary education was less about literacy and more about controlling the 'savage' lower classes. Alongside Javier Mejia, an economist from Stanford, they explore the historical roots of compulsory education in Prussia and the dual nature of educational policies intended to instill obedience. The conversation critiques modern education systems for fostering conformity over creativity.