Economy refers to the management, distribution, usage, and affairs of resources related to a particular group of people, or entities. Questions about economies, or economic history will cover the how and why a particular resource, or state of production occurred in a certain way.
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5answers
323 views
What was the worst economic crisis of all times?
I am interested in reading about the worst economic crisis of all times. By that I mean the largest reduction in GDP over a period of at least a year. The economic crisis should not have been caused ...
10
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2answers
132 views
Buying/Renting/Leasing houses during history?
I was wondering about something. After the last financial crisis, many people have talked about not buying a house, but renting one, and they made it sound like a "new" idea. So what was it like ...
10
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3answers
210 views
Approximately what was the short-term economic loss to Britain as a result of the Revolutionary War being lost?
Is there any research that shows what the economic impact was to the British economy stemming from the 13 Colonies obtaining independence?
It could be either a narrower estimate of purely tax losses ...
2
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1answer
73 views
Credible historic description of how the daily life was for the middle-class during the financial crisis of 1929 [closed]
I am trying to find out how life could change for the middle-class today if we had a high-impact financial crisis. Please help-me / let me know if this question could be rephrased better.
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1answer
1k views
What was the actual value of tea destroyed during the Boston Tea Party?
I'd like to know 2 or 3 of the following 3 metrics:
Actual value in the currency of the time (yes I realize that there were local currencies and in general FX concept was... hard to do).
NPV ...
9
votes
1answer
132 views
What historical situation is comparable to what Europe is currently facing?
I know that this question might get closed, but I will try it, nevertheless. The reason why I am so interested in broad comparisons of historical situations with current ones, is because I believe ...
11
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2answers
263 views
What were the operating principles of Japan's MITI during the 1950s and 60s?
Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) guided Japan's economy through two decades of unprecedented economic growth. MITI was the primary instrument of Japan's industrial policy, ...
5
votes
2answers
355 views
Were the British Over-Taxing their 13 American Colonies?
The British levied several taxes on the American Colonists (13), which were at least part of the reason for the American Revolution. Were the British taxing the 13 colonies for more money than was ...
15
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2answers
492 views
Has mercantilism ever been successful?
Mercantilism, which includes protectionism, industrial policy, capital controls, and other distortions to trade, is generally viewed by economists today as unsound economic policy. An overwhelming ...
4
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1answer
426 views
What was the reason for inflation in Britain after the Black Death?
According to the Wikipedia article Ordinance of Labourers 1349
During this outbreak [of Black Death], an estimated 30-40% of the population died. The decline in population left surviving workers ...
13
votes
4answers
388 views
Was the Roman Empire based on a 'plunder economy'?
It has been stated by Arnold J. Toynbee and James Burke that:
The economy of the Empire was a Raubwirtschaft or plunder economy
based on looting existing resources rather than producing anything
...
15
votes
1answer
139 views
What were tally sticks?
What were tally sticks, and how was it that they they worked for the economy? I understand that they were a form of currency and were of fixed value based on the notches, but how did they work as a ...
18
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3answers
256 views
First evidence for replacement of barter trade by local abstract currency?
What were the first local currency systems in history we have detailed information on? I dont think it was gold/silver or other hard to produce materials. Probably these became more important ...
6
votes
7answers
215 views
First evidence of intercontinental or cross-cultural trade?
Probably this happened several times and maybe even failed and broke up in different regions. What hints and proofs do we have of the earliest succesful intercontinental trade relations? I assume ...
13
votes
1answer
374 views
How do Friedman and Bernanke's explanations about the causes of the Great Depression compare?
I know that both Friedman and Bernanke wrote papers (or books, in Friedman's case) about the cause of the Great Depression. How do their points of view compare and contrast?
15
votes
4answers
131 views
How would you accurately use older British currencies?
For writing a story set in Napoleonic Wars era, how should one use the currencies accurately? I read in novels they use currencies like shilling, pound, guinea, sovereign, four (or six-, etc) pence, ...
