Research at the Department of Economic History
Economic history is a broad social science subject with an historical perspective. Economic history studies historical events, the creation, use and allocation of resources and applies knowledge of economic processes to understand the development of society in a long-term perspective. Society’s formal and informal rules – its institutions – and their role for maintaining stability in patterns of subsistence and living conditions are of particular importance.
Research areas
Agrarian history
Historically, the majority of the population have lived in rural areas and have been directly involved in and dependent on agriculture. Agriculture has been central to politics and the economy. A vast majority of society's production and human consumption has been related to agriculture. The research in agrarian history at the department deals with agricultural development and the factors, both institutional, political and market related, that have affected it. It also concerns the agricultural sector's relation to and significance for other parts of the economy. The focus lies primarily on Sweden and the period from 1700s onwards, but we are also internationally involved in comparative collaborations with European and Asian countries.
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Picture: Wikipedia Commons
The editorial board of the referee journal Economic and Industrial Democracy, published by Sage, is located at the department
Labour market and working life
The labour market and working life have to a great extent shaped our economic history. Even today we are affected by the conditions of the labour market as well as in working life, regardless of whether we are outside or part of the labour market. This research area has for a long time also characterised the economic-political debate. Our research deals with both the labour market, working life and work organisation aspects from an economic-historical perspective, primarily the period from the 20th century onwards. Previous research has included work environment aspects, how work was organised, social partners in terms of the Swedish model, migration, working hours, gender aspects in working life. Various factors that interact in historical times are politics, markets and institutions. We work with European colleagues in ongoing research cooperations.
Business and financial history
This field of research deals with the conditions for entrepreneurship from a historical perspective. Business history studies analyse markets, regulations, organisations and entrepreneurship in political, economic and social contexts. Financial history focuses on the financial sector and its function.
We work from several perspectives, macro, sector, industry or an organisational/individual perspective with focus primarily on the period from 1800s onwards. Common sources for information are company archives, statistical compilations and interviews. Swedish examples are mainly used but we have also established international cooperations and exchanges with European and Asian researchers. Our research is carried out within or as a collaboration with the Uppsala Centre of Business History (UCBH), a research centre associated with the department.
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Trade, retail and consumption
Since the 1990s, the Department of Economic History has had a tradition of research dedicated to the history of trade, retail and consumption. Present projects concern retailing, restaurants, consumer credit and material culture. There is also research on foreign trade. These projects cover the period 1750-present. The perspectives applied run from economic theory and business and financial history to the history of culture and ideas.
Science, technology and society
This research area concerns the relationship between science, technology and society, both historically and during the contemporary period. Today, universities are not only subject to expectations of disciplinary growth of knowledge, but also expectations of economic growth and innovation. During the 20th century science was seen as evolving through its internal logic, although social factors have of course always mattered. During the last 30 years the perspective has changed; it has become seen as legitimate and necessary that the needs of business and political decisions actively affect the development of scholarship. The research area covers studies the interaction between universities, politics and business from different perspectives. Research is conducted in collaboration with Uppsala STS, a multidisciplinary research network at the department.
Photo: David Naylor, Uppsala University