How useful is anthropometric history?

Komlos, John (20. April 2009): How useful is anthropometric history? Some reflections on Paul Hohenberg’s recent presidential address to the American Economic History Association. Münchener Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Beiträge (VWL) 2009-6

Abstract

In his recent presidential address to the American Economic History Association, Paul Hohenberg argued that anthropometric history does not meet his criteria for useful research in the field of economic history. He considers research useful if (a) it "helps shape one of our underlying disciplines"; b) it contributes "to clear—even fresh—thinking about current, policy-related issues or on-going scholarly debates about the historical past"; and c) it "penetrates the fuzzy realm of identity-shaping popular discourse". I argue briefly that only a superficial reading of the literature would lead to the conclusion that anthropometric history has not been useful.

• Dokumententyp: Paper
• Keywords: Economic History - General; Economic History - Development of the Discipline: Historiographical, Sources and Methods
• Fakultät: Volkswirtschaft ; Volkswirtschaft > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics ; Volkswirtschaft > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics > Wirtschaftsgeschichte ; Volkswirtschaft > Lehrstühle > Seminar für Wirtschaftsgeschichte
• Themengebiete: 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 300 Sozialwissenschaft, Soziologie ; 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 330 Wirtschaft
• JEL Classification: N00, N01
• Sprache: Englisch

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