Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Fogel

This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a Conversation with History. I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today is Robert William Fogel, 1993 Nobel Laureate in Economics. Dr. Fogel is the Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of American Institutions at the Graduate School of Business, and Director of the Center for Population Economics at the University of Chicago. He is the 2004 Hitchcock Lecturer on the Berkeley campus.

1. Background ... optimistic parents ... influential brother ... choosing economics
2. History and Economics ... blending two disciplines ... case study: Social Security ... increasing health care costs ... thoughts on politicians
3. Technology and Methodology ... expansion of research potential ... case study: Union Army veterans
4. Research on Aging ... explaining longer lifespans ... environmental factors ... anthropometric measures
5. Research on the Economics of Slavery ... a surprising calculation ... digging deeper ... crucial assistance of modern technology ... controversy ... overcoming doubts
6. Conclusions ... the real "eureka": surprise ... skills required: basic knowledge, patience, good writing ... looking to the future

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