This Pivot book provides a framework for understanding the economic and potentially unequal effects of pandemics, focusing closely on the Spanish Flu. It provides an in-depth analysis of the different effects of the Spanish Flu on the economy from unequal mortality to wages, housing and output. There is a general review of the literature but an important feature of this book is that it explains results using data from Spain, an ideal country to perform this exercise, as its mortality data is not affected by the First World War. Spain was also developed enough to have reliable data, but it was very heterogeneous across regions which will allow a comparison of more and less developed regions. No other book exists that offers a comprehensive and data-driven view of the effects of the Spanish Flu, which is the closest pandemic example to Covid-19. With the outbreak of Covid-19 increasing the need to learn about the economic effects of pandemics, this book will be of interest to academics and students of economic history, macroeconomics (economic crises) and economic development, as well being accessible for the general reader.
Author(s): Sergi Basco, Jordi Domènech, Joan R. Rosés
Series: Palgrave Studies in Economic History
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 132
City: Cham
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
Pandemics Throughout History
Why a Book on the Spanish Flu?
Plan of the Book
Notes
References
2 The Spanish Flu: A Global Shock
Origins and Chronology of the Pandemic
Spanish Flu in the News
Public Interventions
A Global Shock with Local Effects
Notes
References
3 Unequal Mortality During the Spanish Flu
Computing Mortality During Pandemics
Unequal Mortality During the Spanish Flu
Sex and Age Differences
The Geographic Differences
Socioeconomic Factors
The Rural Penalty in Flu Mortality
Social Distancing and Mortality
Notes
References
4 The Spanish Flu and the Labour Market
Pandemics and Wages: The Malthusian View
The Spanish Flu and Real Wages
Notes
References
5 The Spanish Flu and the Capital Market
Pandemics and Capital Returns
Pre-industrial Pandemics and Land Rents
Modern Pandemics and Housing
The 1918 Flu and Housing: Evidence from Spain
Notes
References
6 Taking Stock: The Aggregate Effects of the Spanish Flu
Aggregate Effects of Pandemics
What Have We Learnt from Past Pandemics?
Pandemics in the Pre-industrial World
The Spanish Flu
COVID vs Spanish Flu: A First Assessment
Notes
References
References
Index
