Intersecting Inequalities in History

Inequality has been at the forefront of public and scholarly debate over the past decade. The focus is mostly on economic disparities, even though it is widely acknowledged that human societies are typically characterised by different types of differentiations, such as those based on political power, social status or well-being (for example, officeholding, education, health).

This research group approaches the issue of inequality from a historical perspective, with a focus on the intersections of these different manifestations of inequality. How can we measure (the evolution of) different types of inequalities? How are they (re)produced over time? To what extent did these different inequalities overlap and/or reinforce each other? The group will discuss case studies from all historical periods to assess how inequalities affected the sustainability of societies and the well-being of individuals.

We will start as a reading group. Key literature will be discussed on a bi-monthly basis in an informal setting. In the second year, we will organise a local event to set a common research plan or project. At the same time, we will also explore the possibility of developing the group into an interdisciplinary research network under the aegis of the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development.

Contact: Bart Danon and Arie van Steensel