Network Analysis and the History of Economics

A session at the History of Economics Society 2016 Conference.

Session abstract:

Network analysis is increasingly used by historians of science. This trend might be explained by three considerations. First, sciences are networks : networks of ideas, networks of individuals, networks of publications, networks of institutions. Second, data on these networks are more easily accessible today thanks to databases and the Internet. Third, we can now rely on user-friendly computer tools to produce, visualize and analyze networks.

This session will showcase some of the ways network analysis can be used in the history of economics. Beyond presenting the methods and the main results of three research projects, the session will be the occasion to critically reflect on the potential of recent quantitative tools such as network analysis. Can they really answer worthwhile questions in the history of economics?

This content has been updated on July 4th, 2017 at 22 h 50 min.