WELCOME TO THE COURSE
To you who have been admitted to the course International Economic History, level 4 (internet course, code 2EH038) at Umeå University. On this page you will find important information that will be useful, so please read it carefully. If you have any questions you are most welcome to contact us, you can use the contact form below. We wish you a warm welcome to the course and hope that you will enjoy your studies!
For this course we practice online registration.
You need to be registered for the course in the study documentation system to be able to follow the course and to get your results recorded during the course.
To be able to sign in at the student website and register online, you need to have activated your Umu-id account (see below for more information).
Online registration is open between 28 October and 3 November. It is important that you register during that time period, or otherwise you risk losing your place (seat) at the course.
For instructions on online registration, please visit: www.student.umu.se/english/course-registration.
All information needed: syllabus including literature for the course and the schedule will later in the fall be available at the homepage on Canvas.
We ask you to buy or borrow the books in advance. You are most welcome to contact us if you have any questions regarding the course.
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This course deals with historical perspectives on the development of capitalism with perspectives from the late Middle Ages to the present day. During the course, we will explore the historical dynamics between capital, production, environmental impact and institutions as well as the role of the state and firms. Furthermore, factors behind economic growth, globalization and sustainability are identified and analyzed, focusing on the basic mechanisms and consequences of capitalist development.
In brief, the course is divided into four broader themes covered in 4 modules:
1) The emergence of modern growth;
2) The political economy of capitalism;
3) Capitalism and sustainability;
4) In-depth individual assignment
Examinations will be conducted in the form of individually written reports in connection with each module.
The teaching is web-based and the language of instruction is English. No physical meetings are included. The course is taught via one of the university's electronic learning platforms (Canvas) and presupposes a great individual responsibility to take part in the course's instructions and lectures online. The studies are characterized by a high degree of independence, critical reflection and active search for knowledge. The course offers opportunities for group discussion.
When grading, the three-point scale is applied: pass, pass with distinction or fail. All examinations included in the course must be completed before grades are obtained. For students who have not passed the regular examination, an additional examination opportunity is arranged in close connection with this.
Below you can see the course literature. Please note that the literature list with regards to articles can be slightly changed until one month before the course starts. You will of course be updated to any changes.
Mandatory literature:
Allen, R.C. (2011) “Why the industrial revolution was British: commerce, induced invention, and the scientific revolution”, Economic History Review, 64, 2 (2011), pp. 357–384
Acemoglu, D. Johnson, S. and Robinson J. (2005) “The Rise of Europe: Atlantic Trade, Institutional Change, and Economic Growth”, The American Economic Review, Vol. 95, No. 3, 546- 579.
Bergquist, A (2019) “Business and Sustainability” Chap. 35. In Routledge Companion to The Makers of Global Business, ed. Da Silva Lopes, Lubinski, Christina & Tworek, Heidi, 546-563, New York: Routledge. [available as electronic recourse]
Boon, M (2019) “A Climate for Change. The Oil Industry and Decarbonization in Historical Perspective”. Business History Review, 93 (1): 101-125
Boyer, R. (2005) “How and why capitalisms differ”, Economy and Society, 34 (4): 509- 557.
Chandler, A.D. “Industrial Revolutions and Institutional Arrangements,” Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts and Science. 33, no. 8 (1980): 33-50.
Hall, P. A. & Soskice, D. W. (2001). Varieties of Capitalism. The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage. Oxford University Press (electronic resource).
Jones, G. (2017) Profits and Sustainability. A History of Green Entrepreneurship. Oxford University Press. [available as electronic resource]
Jones, G (2019) "Origins and Development of Global Business." Chap. 2 in The Routledge Companion to the Makers of Global Business, edited by Teresa da Silva Lopes, Christina Lubinski, and Heidi J.S. Tworek, 17–34. New York: Routledge. [available as electronic resource]
North, D. C. (1991), “Institutions”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 5 (1): 97-112.
Peck, J and Zhang, J. (2013) A variety of capitalism ... with Chinese characteristics?, Journal of Economic Geography, Volume 13, Issue 3, May 2013, 357–396.
Pomeranz, K. (2000), The great divergence. China, Europe, and the Making of the Modern World Economy. Princeton, N.J Princeton University Press
Rowlinson, M., Toms, S. And Wilson, J.F. (2007), Competing Perspectives on the ‘Managerial Revolution’ - From ‘Managerialist’ to ‘Anti-Managerialist’, Business History, 49 (4): 464– 482.
Schneider, B.R. & Soskice, D. (2009), “Inequality in developed countries and Latin America: coordinated, liberal and hierarchical systems”, Economy and Society, 38 (1): 17-52.
Wilkins, M., et al. (2010) Varieties of Capitalism. Round table, Business History Review, 84 (Winter 2010):637–674.
Reference literature (preliminary)
Cameron, R. (1985), “A New View of European Industrialization”, Economic History Review 38, no. 1: 1-23.
Chandler, A.D. (1992) “What is a firm? A historical perspective”. European Economic Review 36, 483-994.
Feinstein, H. (2005). An Economic History of South Africa. Conquest, Discrimination, and Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (electronic resource).
Flynn, D. O. & Giraldez, A. (2004), “Path dependence, time lags and the birth of globalization: a critique of O’Rourke and Williamson” in European Review of Economic History, 8 (e-journal)
Hopkins (2009). ”The New Economic History of Africa”, Journal of African History, 50, pp 155- 177.
Noland, M. & Pack, H. (2011). The Arab Economies in a Changing World. Peterson Institute for International Economics [available as electronic resource]
O'Rourke, Kevin H.; Williamson, Jeffrey G. (2002), “When Did Globalisation Begin?” European Review of Economic History, April: 23-50
O'Rourke, K.H & Williamson, J.G. (2004), Once more: When did globalisation begin? European Review of Review of Economic History.
Individual choice of articles
Some 200 pages is recommended
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Course Coordinator: Ann-Kristin Bergquist ann-kristin.bergquist@umu.se
Study Administrator: Maria Lindström maria.lindstrom@umu.se
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