“Swallowed” Economic History: The Significance of Economic History Research in Economics

This chapter examines the global trend of economic history research by investigating the trends and characteristics of the three major journals in the most recent two decades (Sect. 9.2). In other words, I will examine how cliometrics and historical economics have “integrated” with economic history or how the former have tried to “merge” with the latter and consider the merits and demerits of this situation. Section 9.3 discusses the gap between the trends in the three major journals discussed in Sect. 9.2, the new economic history research in Japan, and the historical trends of Japanese economic history researchJapanese economic history research. Also, examples of papers in international journals that compel us to think about economic history research more seriously are discussed. Finally, the chapter concludes by referring to several books and discussing the universal importance and raison d'être of economic history research.