The Problems and Methods of Economic History: (Routledge Revivals)

This title was first published in 2001: The Problems and Methods of Economic History presents Witold Kula's magisterial view of his discipline at the height of his powers. Characterized by the perennial virtues of a profound depth of philosophical reflection allied to a tremendous breadth of learning, this, his seminal contribution shows the true excellence of his scholarship and width of conception. Drawing on the works of major scholars in all the principal European languages, east and west, he presents a capacious and far-sighted definition of the field, embracing the environment, labour, consumption, class relations and the history of economic thought itself. This is in addition to the more obvious topics of the history of prices, market formation, investment, firms, national accounts and demography. Witold Kula's many books have been translated into a number of languages, but this is the first time his most important work has been made available in English.

Table of Contents:
Contents: The history of economic history; The subject-matter of economic history; The periodization of economic history; Micro-analysis, part I: historical studies of production units; Micro-analysis, part II: historical studies of consumption and standard of living; Macro-analysis: historical studies of the national income; Historical statistics; Historical demography; Historical studies of social structures; Studies in the history of prices and markets; Historical metrology; Man’s dependence upon nature; The comparative method and the generalizations of economic history; Prognostication from economic history; Index.

Review :
’Witold Kula, still too little known in the English-speaking world, was an economic historian of the utmost intelligence and distinction. The posthumous publication of a translation of his long admired Problems and Methods is therefore to be warmly welcomed.’ Eric Hobsbawm, University of London, UK ’Witold Kula was one of the most brilliant and original economic historians of his time. His lucid and acute discussions of the problems involved in doing economic history and of the methods which might be employed to solve them deserve to be widely read.’ Peter Burke, University of Cambridge, UK ’Witold Kula’s work is exceptional. Produced in very inauspicious times in the ’50s and ’60s, it shows how an independent-minded scholar can overcome adversity and appeal to a wide audience. The late Richard Szreter’s translation of this work, which is full of interesting insights, is most welcome.’ Norman Davies, University of Oxford, UK 'His book offers a dialectic between inductive and deductive methods, taking full amount of the economic 'othenwss' of past societies and their economic arrangement.' History Workshop Journal 'Kula's discussion of methods provides fascinating reading for anyone interested in the economies of the past and in the problems which historians face in attempting to understand them.' The Economics History Review