| This group convened to discuss the comparative economic and historical analysis of societies, identifying ways that economic tools and analysis can advance historical research on the ancient world. |
Emerging around a coalescence of research interests in the comparative economic analysis of historical societies from ancient times to the modern period, the Working Group on Comparative Economics brought together faculty from Classics, Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, and the Booth School of Business for a two-year program of activities. Monthly faculty meetings, quarterly visiting lecturers, and an annual conference addressed themes of shared interest in comparative economics, including the structure of economic firms, taxation, long-distance trade, forms and uses of money, and the economics of slavery. Activities were designed to clarify conceptual and empirical issues in a way that will promote and enrich cross-disciplinary faculty research and quickly disseminate results through e-publication of a new working paper series.
Robert O. Anderson Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in Classics, History, the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, and the College
University of Chicago
Alain Bresson specializes in the ancient world, with particular interests in the ancient economy, the Hellenistic world, and the epigraphy of Rhodes and Asia Minor. To learn more about his research and publications, please visit his profile page at the Department of History.
Paul Klapper Professor in the College and the Division of the Social Sciences
University of Chicago
Gary Herrigel has been working on issues related to democracy and economic governance for many years. He has written two books examining historical efforts to construct democratic arrangements in markets in the U.S., Germany, and Japan. The interest in both books was in the relationship between...
V. Duane Rath Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of Chicago
Richard Hornbeck is an economic historian and applied-micro economist whose research focuses on the historical development of the American economy. He views history as informing why some places and some people have become wealthier while others have remained poorer, which can provide perspective...
Associate Professor of Egyptology
University of Chicago
Brian Muhs is interested in the history of ancient Egyptian social, economic and legal institutions, particularly but not exclusively during the transition from Pharaonic to Ptolemaic and Roman rule. He is also interested in language contact and interaction, particularly between Demotic and...
Professor of Syro-Palestinian Archaeology, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations; Associated Faculty, Divinity School
University of Chicago
David Schloen specializes in the archaeology and history of the Levant in the Bronze and Iron Ages (ca. 3500 to 300 BCE). His archaeological fieldwork began at Ashkelon in Israel, where he served as associate director and co-edited the series of excavation reports. He has also conducted...
