How useful is anthropometric history?

John Komlos

Discussion Papers in Economics from University of Munich, Department of Economics

Abstract: In his recent presidential address to the American Economic History Association, Paul Hohenberg argued that anthropometric history does not meet his criteria for useful research in the field of economic history. He considers research useful if (a) it "helps shape one of our underlying disciplines"; b) it contributes "to clear—even fresh—thinking about current, policy-related issues or on-going scholarly debates about the historical past"; and c) it "penetrates the fuzzy realm of identity-shaping popular discourse". I argue briefly that only a superficial reading of the literature would lead to the conclusion that anthropometric history has not been useful.

Keywords: Economic History - General; Economic History - Development of the Discipline: Historiographical; Sources and Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N00 N01 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-04-20
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-hpe
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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