Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

African Economic History Working Paper,
African Economic History Network

No 1/2012: Moving Forward in African Economic History: Bridging the Gap Between Methods and Sources

Morten Jerven (), Gareth Austin (), Erik Green (), Chibuike Uche (), Ewout Frankema (), Johan Fourie (), Joseph Inikori (), Alexander Moradi () and Ellen Hillbom ()
Additional contact information
Morten Jerven: School of International Studies, Simon Fraser University
Gareth Austin: Graduate Institute, Geneva
Erik Green: Department of Economic History, Lund University
Chibuike Uche: Department of Banking and Finance, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus
Ewout Frankema: Department of Social and Economic History, Utrecht University
Johan Fourie: Department of Economics, Stellenbosch University
Joseph Inikori: Department of History, University of Rochester
Alexander Moradi: Department of Economics, University of Sussex
Ellen Hillbom: Department of Economic History, Lund University

Abstract: The field of African economic history is in resurgence. This paper reviews recent and on-going research contributions and notes strengths in their wide methodological, conceptual and topical variety. In these strengths there is also a challenge: different methodological approaches may also result in divisions, particularly on the quantitative versus qualitative axis. The African Economic History Network has recently been formed to bridge the gap between methods and sources and to facilitate intellectual exchanges among the widest possible range of scholars working on Sub-Saharan economic history. This paper outlines current research projects and calls for future research as well as suggesting promising lines of enquiry in the discipline.

Keywords: Africa; Economic History; Sources; Methods; GDP; population; agriculture

JEL-codes: N17; N27; N37; N47; N57; N67; N77; N87; N97

32 pages, May 30, 2012

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