To what extent can the course of history be explained in economic terms?

Question

To what extent can the course of history be explained in economic terms?

Answer 1

I like the answer from "NazF" above.

An added note is that economic factors have been key in the history of warfare. Wars have often been fought with the hope of economic gain - though modern warfare has become far more expensive than economic gains can usually justify.  [Examples being WWI and WWII especially.]

Clearly, history shows that strong economies allow more extensive military build ups and consequently greater ability to project military power over other people in the world.  The British predominance of the latter 1800's until WWI was based on the economic ability to afford a huge and powerful navy.  The military power of the USA from WWII to the present has been based on economic power - having the money to spend on advances in armament technology.  For example, the development of the atomic bomb in the 1940's cost ~ $2 billion dollars at a time when that was a great deal of money.

Much of human history can be related to man's greed for possessions and his willingness to kill others to get them - land, food resources, precious metals, and now - - oil.

Answer 2

Economics can be used to explain much in history, because

it focuses on two important drives, human 'greed' and 'need.'

'Greed' is one of the most sincere human emotions.  People can lie about certain values (eg., I love you), but when they admit 'greed' it is very clear they are telling the truth.  Also, 'greed' is very hard to deny.

'Need' is another sincere human emotion - The need to survive is clear for everyone.

In short, economics explains much of history, because it accounts for two undeniable human drives.