History of Cliometrics

Economic historians have contributed to the development of economics by combining theory with quantitative methods, constructing and revising databases, discovering and creating new ones entirely, and adding the variable of time to traditional economic theories. This has made it possible to question and reassess earlier findings, thus increasing our knowledge, refining earlier conclusions, and correcting mistakes. It has contributed greatly to our understanding of economic growth and development. The use of history as a crucible to examine economic theory has deepened our knowledge of how, why, and when economic change occurs. The focus of this chapter is to detail the history of the discipline of cliometrics, the quantitative study of economic history, and outline its evolution within the discipline of economic history.