Niveles de vida y desigualdad: aproximación social y regional en la España preindustrial / Living Standards and Inequality: Social and Regional Approach in Pre-Industrial Spain

Supported by: Ministerio de Investigación y Ciencia (HAR 2008-04978/His)
From: 2008-07-01 To: 2011-07-01
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Leading Researcher

Fernández-de-Pinedo, Emiliano  

IBC Network members

Fernández-de-Pinedo, Nadia

Abstract

This project comprises 5 clear objectives:

1) Build price series as broad as possible from a temporally and geographically perspective to provide a comprehensive quantitative picture of the evolution of prices in modern Spain (1500-1800). Following the guidelines set by the classic works of Earl J. Hamilton new series of prices of food, textiles, fuel and beverages will be developed for Old Castile-León, Valencia, Andalusia and New Castile between 1650 and 1800.

2) Development of series of nominal wages for different trades, skilled labor and unskilled workers in the regions referred to above.

3) Identify and analyze information on the structure of consumption expenditure and families of different social classes and regional areas.

4) Development of real wage series, using the different international proposals and determining their levels in relation to so-called "poverty lines".

5) Development of specific income deflators for the privileged classes of society.

6) Reconstruction of the mortality and life expectancy rates, especially in adulthood, of religious groups (Carmelites, Jesuit, High Clergy) and Spanish nobility groups, at national and regional levels.

7) Measurement and analysis of regional differences detected in the previous sections. There will be a special assessment of the consequences of the existence of different tax regimes, which according to the historiography generated very unequal tax burdens and could lead to situations affecting consumption and living standards of the working class.

 

Dissertation on Living Standards and Inequality (I)
Examples of preindustrial women handcraft
Dissertation on Living Standards and Inequality (II)
Examples of Castillian weaving looms.