The Economic and Political History Podcast

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.

Interview with Eva Payne, author of 'Empire of Purity: The History of Americans' Global War on Prostitution' Between the 1870s and 1930s, American social reformers, working closely with the US government, transformed sexual vice into an international political and humanitarian concern. As these activists worked to eradicate prostitution and trafficking, they promoted sexual self-control for both men and women as a cornerstone of civilization and a basis of American exceptionalism. Empire of Purity traces the history of these efforts, showing how the policing and penalization of sexuality was used to justify American interventions around the world.Eva Payne describes how American reformers successfully pushed for international anti-trafficking agreements that mirrored US laws, calling for states to criminalize prostitution and restrict migration, and harming the very women they claimed to protect.  ---- Javier Mejia is an economist at Stanford University 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.

Daniel Waldenström, a leading economist from Sweden, shares insights from his book 'Richer and More Equal'. He reveals a surprising historical narrative that since the late 1800s, the middle class has significantly expanded its wealth share, challenging the idea that capitalism equals inequality. Waldenström argues for tax and social policies that uplift the bottom and middle tiers of society, rather than penalizing entrepreneurs. Together with economist Javier Mejia, they critically evaluate how emotional perceptions of inequality can distort public opinion, especially in sensitive regions like Latin America.

Dale Copeland, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Virginia, shares insights from his book on American foreign policy history. He discusses how trade influences international crises, shifting from peace to conflict when national security is threatened. The conversation delves into realism vs. liberalism, examining power dynamics and historical conflicts. Mejia, an economist, enriches the dialogue by exploring the complexities of U.S.-China relations and the necessity of trade for global stability.

Stefanos Geroulanos, Director of the Remark Institute and a professor at NYU, discusses his book 'The Invention of Prehistory.' He examines how Enlightenment thinkers shifted views on human origins, impacting notions of race and imperialism. The conversation delves into the allure of prehistory, the evolution of cultural hierarchies, and how Darwinism influenced political ideologies. Geroulanos also critiques historical narratives regarding Neanderthals, revealing how ideologies shape our understanding of identity in contemporary contexts.

I'm thrilled to share with you an episode from a new show called The Civic Agora. This venture is part of the Stanford Civics Initiative, where we explore the essence of citizenship and unravel the threads of thought that construct a flourishing society. In this episode of the Civic Agora, we chat with Brandice Canes-Wrone. She is a professor in the political science department and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. She is also the director of the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions. Her current research focuses on representation and accountability, including projects on elections, campaign finance, and representation. Follow The Civic Agora on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCK4HRxXhgWCeELg8XV6keFQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4DFAAkrAb9ySguVq7X4IQS Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lOGUzOGU0MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d0476371-ace7-4616-a111-cfd3c2241a82/the-civic-agora Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-civic-agora/id1708437088 ---- Javier Mejia is an economist at Stanford University 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.

Interview with Christopher M. Meissner, author of 'One From the Many: The Global Economy Since 1850' This book provides a brief introduction to the economic history of globalization since 1850. Key indicators, such as trade-to-production ratios, global foreign assets relative to world production, and the share of foreign-born in the population, are tracked over time. All globalization indicators rose between 1850 and 1914, during the first wave of globalization. From 1918 to 1939, the global economy stagnated, experiencing a significant collapse during the Great Depression. Post-World War II, the global economy re-emerged, and integration deepened, generating economic benefits and raising welfare over the long run. While globalization has its costs, and certain groups may lose economically, historical data show a preference for more globalization. Looking ahead, the global economy is likely to persist, with integration continuing to expand. However, sustained globalization depends on recognizing common interests and mitigating adverse effects. ---- Javier Mejia is an economist at Stanford University 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/JavierMejiaC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javier_mejia_c/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-mejia-cubillos/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@javiermejia5309?si=LEy5CuqD83qVB8jd

Interview with Faisal Ahmed, author of 'Conquests and Rents: A Political Economy of Dictatorship and Violence in Muslim Societies' Tragically, dictatorship and civil strife are prevalent in many contemporary Muslim-majority (hereon, Muslim) societies; characteristics that are detrimental to socio-economic development. In Conquest and Rents: A Political Economy of Dictatorship and Violence in Muslim Societies, I offer an original explanation for why. The book is grounded in a positive political economy approach that advances a formal theory that is “tested” in a historical and contemporary setting. ---- Javier Mejia is an economist at Stanford University 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/JavierMejiaC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javier_mejia_c/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-mejia-cubillos-64504562/

In this insightful discussion, Eric H. Cline, a professor at George Washington University and an expert on ancient civilizations, dives into the collapse of Late Bronze Age societies. He explores the multifaceted causes of this historic event, from invasions to climate change. Cline highlights how resilience and adaptability shaped the fate of civilizations post-collapse, leading to the rise of new powers like the Phoenicians and Israelites. He also draws parallels to modern challenges, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices for societal stability.

Branko Milanovic, a senior scholar on socio-economic inequality, captivates with his insights on the evolution of inequality. He discusses how income distribution ideas have shifted across time, engaging with historical figures like Adam Smith and Karl Marx. Milanovic emphasizes the importance of context in analyzing inequality, critiquing common misreadings of thinkers like Smith. He also explores the resurgence of inequality research and the impact of new data on our understanding. A fascinating dive into the complexities of economic thought!