Can economics help explain Europe’s deadly witch trials?
Hundreds of years ago, across Europe - from Germany to Scandinavia, France to Britain - tens of thousands of mostly women were executed, accused of being witches. The persecution reached its height in the 16th and 17th centuries. But why? And could economics help explain the hysteria?
Hosts Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth are joined by Brown University economist Emily Oster, whose research explores whether colder temperatures during the Little Ice Age led to economic hardship and an increased number of witch trials. They discuss how Oster used historical weather and witch trial data to investigate the connection, how evolving economic data changes our perceptions of history and what Europe's witch hunts reveal about scapegoating.
Further reading:
Witchcraft, Weather and Economic Growth in Renaissance Europe, The Journal of Economic Perspectives, by Emily Oster
Witch Trials, The Economic Journal, by Peter T. Leeson and Jacob W. Russ
Malleus Maleficarum, by Heinrich Kramer
To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts, also on the show's dedicated YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FTTheStoryOfMoney
Hosts: Gillian Tett & Robin Wigglesworth
Producer: Lulu Smyth
Senior producer: Michela Tindera
Executive producer: Kate Ford
Original music and sound design: Breen Turner
Video editor: Michael Saliba
Podcast development: Laura Clarke
FT global head of audio: Flo Phillips
Learn more at www.ft.com/tsom or get in touch at thestoryofmoney@ft.com.
Read more
0 comment
Be the first to comment on this content.
Sign in to your Podmust account to comment.
Sign in
Behind the Money takes its audience deep into the current business and financial narratives, offering insights into everything from hostile takeovers to executive-level intrigue. The podcast features reporting from Financial Times journalists across the globe, providing a comprehensive and firsthand perspective on the pivotal stories shaping the business and financial landscape.
How can I listen to other podcasts?
Click here to discover another podcast randomly, or here to browse our categories. Lazy? That's okay, we did some research and selected podcasts just for you.
And what is Podmust?
Podmust is a french project aiming to promote the best podcasts. You can help us by sharing this page (this also helps the podcast, by the way). Thank you! 🙏
Stay informed, the audio way.
Podmust curates what you need to listen.
Discover some of our collections:
our best Business podcastsour best Sports & Recreation podcastsour best News & Politics podcasts.
Well, the bad news is: we're French. But the good news is: Podmust curates the world's podcasts so you can focus on staying informed or entertained. And voilà!
© Podmust