Category Archives: Economic History

Glass Beads for the African Trade

Posted on 03/11/2010 by J.F. Gjersø

A favourite currency among European and African alike during the 19th century was glass beads. Inexpensive and portable for the European explorer or trader and having a high intrinsic value for the natives, it was used extensively for the exchange … Continue reading →

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A Recurring Greek Tragedy

Posted on 09/07/2010 by J.F. Gjersø

The perils of relying upon debt to balance one’s books has been clearly demonstrated by the current financial crisis engulfing the Western economies. A particularly striking example is Greece, where revelations of gross misconduct on behalf of the state has … Continue reading →

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The ‘North-South Divide’, still relevant today?

Posted on 12/05/2010 by J.F. Gjersø

The sharp division between developed and developing countries is often described as the “North-South Divide.” The term was coined during the cold war as a way to geographically categorise countries on the basis of their socio-economic development level. With the … Continue reading →

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China’s High-Yield Agriculture: A Double-Edged Sword?

Posted on 01/05/2010 by J.F. Gjersø

The climatic and natural conditions found within the northern and southern territories of pre-modern China were conducive to wheat and rice cultivation respectively. Soil qualities, regularity of precipitation, the existence of rivers providing ease of irrigation and the length of … Continue reading →

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