World Economic History

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• 10. Reduced inequalities
• 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Objectives

The World Economic History course aims to provide students with the historical references that will allow them to understand the structure and dynamics of the current international economy by studying the formation and development of the market economy and the business world. The course analyzes the various historical moments of the international economy and the factors that influenced the development of different regions during the contemporary era.

Learning outcomes

Generics of the subject of Economics

• Gain a comprehensive view of the different stages of economic history.
• It shows a critical view of the main ideas of the schools of economic analysis.
• Demonstrates skills for critical reflection in the processes linked to the practice of the profession.
• Apply your knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving skills in complex, professional, and specialized work environments that require the use of creative and innovative ideas.
• Understands oral and written messages of different types in a complete manner, expressed in native languages and in English.

Specific to the subject of World Economic History

• Understand the major events in economic history to understand today's world economy.
• Gain a comprehensive view of the different stages of contemporary economic history.
• Understand the nature of historical changes and their economic, social and ideological consequences.
• Relates the different factors that modulate economic situations.
• Acquire a critical spirit towards the economic facts of history.
• Correctly expresses the knowledge acquired about economic history.
• Work as a team.
• Conduct research.

Competencies

Specific skills

• Make use of knowledge of world economic history to enable a critical interpretation of the current economic and business climate characterized by dynamism and complexity.

Basic skills

• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Be a critical thinker before knowledge in all its dimensions. Show intellectual, cultural and scientific curiosity and a commitment to professional rigor and quality.
• Use oral, written and audiovisual forms of communication, in one's own language and in foreign languages, with a high standard of use, form and content.

Content

1. The formation of the market economy
   1. Typology of major economic forms
   2. The formation of the capitalist system and the crisis of pre-industrial societies in the Modern Age
   3. Demographic regimes
2. The formation of the contemporary world (19th century)
   1. Industrialization, capitalism and liberalism
   2. The British Industrial Revolution: Endogenous and Exogenous Factors
   3. The British Industrial Revolution. Take off
   4. Patterns of industrialization in the 19th century
   5. The international economy in the 19th century
3. Interwar tensions (1918-1945)
   1. The Great War and its consequences
   2. The 1929 crisis and the international economic depression
   3. The Way Out of the Crisis: The New Deal and Nazism
   4. The Russian Revolution and the Soviet economy
4. Social capitalism and economic growth (1945-1973)
   1. The reconstruction of Europe after World War II
   2. Bretton Woods and the GATT
   3. Economic growth and the Golden Age
5. The globalized world and the return to liberal capitalism (1973-2020)
   1. The 1973 oil crisis
   2. Neoliberalism and the Conservative Revolution
   3. The collapse of the Soviet bloc and the end of history
   4. Development and underdevelopment
   5. Economic globalization
   6. The 2008 crisis

Evaluation

The final evaluation of the subject is the result of the arithmetic mean of the different parts in which the various activities carried out throughout the course are evaluated with the following weighting:

• Partial test: 30%
• Practices: 70%

Receive a positive evaluation on all assessable activities. Failure to complete the written test or submit all practical assignments will result in failure.

Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that there is only one sitting, that assessment is continuous, and that only partial retakes of failed course content are permitted. Any activity can be retaken if completed within the allotted time. The midterm exam can be retaken in the final semester retake exams. Exercises, readings, and group work can be retaken within a maximum of 15 days after the corresponding grades have been posted.

Methodology

The subject combines virtual and in-person classes.

The methodological basis consists of combining concise explanations of the topics with practical work by students, both individually and in teams, in the form of practical exercises and readings. Quantitative and qualitative documents presented in various formats (videos, statistical material, texts, etc.) are used, addressing the different aspects of each topic.

Bibliography

Key references

• Aracil, R.; Segura, A. (1993). Història econòmica mundial i d’Espanya. Teide.
• Comín, Francisco (2011). Historia económica mundial: De los orígenes a la actualidad. Alianza Editorial.
• Feliu, G. i Sudrià, C. (2006). Introducció a la història econòmica mundial. Universitat Barcelona - Universitat de València.
• Kenwood, A. G.; Lougheed, A. L. (1989). Historia del desarrollo económico internacional. Desde 1820 hasta nuestros días. Istmo.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.