EC204: Financial Markets and the Global Economy: The History of Bubbles, Crashes and Inflations

Have financial crises become more frequent and more severe over time? What can early bubbles tell us about the state of different stock markets? Was fiscal policy as important as monetary policy in helping recovery in Britain and the US after the Great Depression?

Exploring these topics informs our understanding of current global financial markets. During this course, you will be asked to engage with these important topics and more, participating in lively discussion between your peers and faculty.

Covering the two waves of financial globalisation (1880-1914 and 1980-2008), as well as the de-globalisation of finance after the Great Depression, this course unpacks some of the most significant questions in Economic History. As a result, you will be introduced to the long run evolution of financial markets and to the history of monetary policy and financial crises.

Looking through the lens of history, this course will develop your critical thinking and analysis skills. By engaging with the material, you will take away a strong understanding of how institutional and political factors shape the process of financial globalisation and of how the structure of the international monetary system affects the conduct of monetary policy and the response to financial crises.

Prerequisites: Introductory macroeconomics (to the equivalent of EC102) and microeconomics (to the equivalent of EC101). A working knowledge of basic mathematics and statistics would also be helpful.

Level: 200 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One piece of written work and one written examination

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This course is suitable if you want to gain a nuanced understanding of money and financial markets through a historical approach. It is also highly relevant to financial market practitioners and policy makers interested in acquiring a long run perspective on current hot issues in money, banking and finance. If you are pursuing a career in policy development, research and government you should consider taking this course.

• Understand the evolution of financial markets and the history of monetary policy and financial crises
• Analyse how central banks responded to financial crises in different historical periods
• Compare the impact of different fiscal and monetary policies on economic outcomes across the globe

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.