Abstract

Teaching History in Business Schools: An Insider's View

I question Madansky's (2008) critique of stand-alone business history courses by arguing that the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007 and the financial panic of 2008 may not have occurred if business history was taught more widely and thoroughly in business and public policy schools. The current crisis is the seventh of its kind in U.S. history and occurred for the same reason, perverse incentives, as the first six. History can also illuminate the best way out of the crisis and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.