LFU:online

methods of intellectual history, giving lectures, writing skills

At the end of the 17th century european mercantilism was characterized by global forms of trade and production. Therefore, a debate about consumerism and luxury emerges on theologians and conservative critics. Economists and theorists of liberal markets opposed this by emphasizing the mercantile behavior of upper and middle classes. The course will analyze these debates, especially in England and the Holy Roman Empire, and will focus on its relationship with the political economy of the 18th century.

 discussion of sources and literature, presenting papers, thesis.

 reading weekly, presenting a paper, writing an essay 

John Brewer (ed.): Consumption and the world of goods, Oxford 1996;

Christine Weder/Maximilian Bergengruen (Hg.): Luxus. Die Ambivalenz des Überflüssigen in der Moderne, Göttingen 2011