Abstract
Bubbles have become ubiquitous. This ubiquity has stimulated
research over the past three decades into bubbles in history. In this article, we
provide a systematic overview of research into historical bubbles. Our analysis
reveals that there is no coherent approach to the study of bubbles and much of
the debate has unhelpfully focussed on the rationality/irrationality dichotomy.
We then suggest a new framework for the study of historical bubbles, which
helps us understand the causes of bubbles and their economic consequences. We
conclude by suggesting ways in which business history can contribute to the
study of historical bubbles.
research over the past three decades into bubbles in history. In this article, we
provide a systematic overview of research into historical bubbles. Our analysis
reveals that there is no coherent approach to the study of bubbles and much of
the debate has unhelpfully focussed on the rationality/irrationality dichotomy.
We then suggest a new framework for the study of historical bubbles, which
helps us understand the causes of bubbles and their economic consequences. We
conclude by suggesting ways in which business history can contribute to the
study of historical bubbles.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 636-655 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | Business History |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 19 Nov 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |