Markets & Morality | Slavery and American Prosperity with economist Art Crden

Scholars debate whether and to what extent slavery contributed to American prosperity. Was America’s original sin responsible for the economic growth since?

Slavery was a brutal and exploitative system, and it enriched some people; however, it did not contribute to the general well being of the American people nor to rapid economic growth and widespread prosperity. Dr. Art Carden will present historical evidence through the lens of economic theory to show that, if America has flourished, it is despite the evils of slavery, not because of it.

Dr. Carden is the Margaret Gage Bush Distinguished Professor of Economics at Samford University and coordinator of the university’s Brock Scholars Program, the honors program of Brock School of Business.

This lecture is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 12 in Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall. Dr. Carden’s visit to Hope College is hosted by Markets & Morality and cosponsored by the Department of Economics and Business and Department of Political Science.