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Om ämnesgränser i historieforskningen

Abstract

The article is about the difficulties and often the futility in drawing sharp lines between the disciplines of history. The starting point is my own position as economic historian with a strong inclination towards historical psychology and the history of mentalities. In this position I have often been asked if my research really can be called economic history. I respond with two answers. The gist of the first one is that the dividing lines between fields of study should not be allowed to obstruct scientific curiosity, the gist of the second answer is that it is difficult anyhow, if not impossible, to define the term economy and thus the actual discipline economic history in any permanent or simple way.