The course is designed to equip students with the necessary analytical skills to understand and critique the issues of the contemporary world. Special emphasis is given to the importance of sustainable economic growth and the significance of continued technological developments. The course expounds upon the first era of globalization, as well as the reasons for its decline, and describes the present era of globalization, along with the dangers it entails and the trajectory of the winners and losers on the road to economic development. The study of the economic and social history of the world during the last three hundred years is based on the twelve paradigms of the Contemporary Era, culminating with a consideration of the challenges we face in the present.
1. Sustained economic growth and exponential population growth
1.1. Characteristics and indicators.
1.2. A brief overview of economic history since the 18th century.
1.3. The origins of population growth.
1.4. The adoption of “new” demographic behaviors.
1.5. The demographic “bomb” in the countries of the South.
1.6. The birth of new models of life.
2. The rise and decline of the gold standard
2.1. A brief history of payment methods.
2.2. From bimetallism to the gold standard.
2.3. The crisis of 1929-33.
2.4. The construction of a new economic and monetary order after Bretton Woods.
2.5. The end of currency convertibility.
2.6. Monetary institutions and international means of payment.
3. The ongoing technological revolution
3.1. The first industrial revolution.
3.2. The second industrial revolution.
3.3. The third industrial revolution.
3.4. The fourth industrial revolution.
4. The construction of Great Empires and international trade and Big Business
4.1. Markets and goods.
4.2. Infrastructure essential for distribution.
4.3. Adoption and rejection of protectionist/liberal practices.
4.4. The emergence of capitalism and the birth of the bourgeoisie.
4.5. The formation of companies (brief overview).
4.6. Family businesses.
4.7. The multinationals.
4.8. New forms of business organization.
5. Agriculture without peasants and peasants without land
5.1. Agriculture before the agricultural revolution of the 18th century.
5.2. The agricultural revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries.
5.3. Agricultural practice in the New Countries (19th and 20th centuries).
5.4. Agriculture on large estates.
5.5. Current challenges in the agricultural world.
6. The rise and fall of great empires and the realization of underdevelopment and populations on the move
6.1. From colonialism to imperialism.
6.2. The export of capital and the white man's mission.
6.3. The right of people to dispose of themselves.
6.4. The realization of underdevelopment.
6.5. Development cooperation.
6.6. Migrations from the countryside to the city.
6.7. The great emigration.
6.8. Escape from catastrophes.
7. The rise and decline of great utopias, the affirmation of democracy and the emancipation of women
7.1. The consequences of the advent of the liberal order.
7.2. The consequences of the advent of the industrial economy.
7.3. Hegemonic dreams in Europe and their consequences.
7.4. The totalitarian temptations.
7.5. The democratic model.
7.6. Brief overview of the history of women in society.
7.7. Feminist movements and their demands.
7.8. Women in underdeveloped countries.
8. Questions for the 21st century
The teaching methodology follows a verbal logic (expository) with projection of transparencies, appealing to the interaction of the students.
Clark, G. (2008). Um adeus às esmolas. Uma breve história económica do mundo (1a Edição). Bizâncio.
Hobsbawm, E. (2012). A Era das Revoluções (6a Edição). Presença.
Peyrefitte, A. (1998). O “Milagre” em Economia (1a Edição). Gradiva.
Stiglitz, Joseph E. (2004). Globalização. A grande desilusão (3a Edição). Terramar.
Beaud, M. (2007). História do Capitalismo. Editorial Teorema.
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Krugman, P. (2009). O regresso da economia da depressão e a crise actual (1a Edição). Editorial Presença.
Landes, D. (2005). A riqueza e a pobreza das nações. Por que são algumas tão ricas e outras tão pobres (7a Edição). Gradiva.
Léon, P. (1985). História Económica e Social do Mundo (1a Edição). Livraria Sá da Costa Editora.
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