ECC1510

Economic history: world economic leadership

Dr Geoff Spenceley

6 points · Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week · First semester · Clayton

Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the processes whereby nations such as Britain and the United States came to be great economic powers and why, eventually, that power diminished; be able to analyse the growth of a total economic system, distinguish between the role played by government and the market in this process and use an analytical model to explain the rise and decline of great economic powers; and be able to summarise and contrast arguments, discuss their findings, and undertake research and write an essay in economic history.

Synopsis This subject traces and explains the economic development of Britain and the United States from the late eighteenth century until recent times, with the emphasis on the years since 1918. Topics include the industrialisation of both countries; the role played by both in the development of the international economy; the impact of two world wars and a depression on the relative position of these in the world economy; the growth of government intervention and quest for stability after 1945; the renewed emphasis on the market since the 1980s; the relative decline of both nations as great economic powers.

Assessment Written (2000-word essay): 25% · Tutorial work: 25% · Examination (2 hours): 50%

Back to the 1999 Business and Economics Handbook