5171 - FOUNDATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY

The aim of this course is to provide the student with a broad understanding of the role of Europe within the world economy, using a historical approach. The development of the European economy is analyzed considering institutional, social and cultural factors and a wide variety of actors including governments, society, and firms. European developments are put into a broad and comparative perspective, by both looking at a larger (global) context and examining differences within Europe itself.

• Geography meets History: Different human and social reactions to Nature's opportunities and bonds
• Europe from periphery to supremacy: The revolution of world equilibrium between 1000 and 1500
• Europe's attempt to conquer the world: An assessment of costs and benefits
• The revolution of the European equilibrium between 1500 and 1700: Catholics and Protestants
• The Industrial Revolution: Definitions and debates; the role of local contexts; knowledge, finance and progress
• Empires and free trade: Europe's dominant role during the first global economy
• The World Wars: Europe's decline and the rise of the United States (and the Soviet Union)
• The re-integration of Europe (West and East): Formation and expansion of the European Union
• National paths and patterns: Are there many ways to wealth and happiness?
• Margin or centre? Europe's position in the global economy of the 21^st century

Student evaluation is made up of two partial exams (one at mid semester and one at the end of the course). The same program applies for students who do not attend the lessons.

• David S. LANDES, The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, Norton, New York, 1999; chapters 1-19; 25-27; 29
• Alfred D. CHANDLER et al. (eds.), Big Business and the Wealth of Nations, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1997; chapters: 3-9
• Any additional course materials will be issued in class