Looking at the past to understand the future
SHOC (Social History of Capitalism) is one of the recognized Large Research Groups of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Our core objective is to study the social history of capitalism from a bottom-up point of view. We conceptualize capitalism as a social process that exponentially boosted material production but also generated structural inequalities throughout the medieval, early modern and modern world. We aim to engage with the interactions and negotiations which shaped these outcomes, incorporating non-human, technological, and subaltern perspectives. Considering different contexts across the world allows us to disentangle the relationship between specific social configurations and the effects of capitalist expansion on welfare, social relations, migration and the environment in the long run, from the late middle ages until the 20th century.
Recent news
SHOC colleague Charlotte Van Riet presents at the Radiocarbon & Diet Conference in Santiago, Chile
Early July, SHOC colleague Charlotte Van Riet attended the Radiocarbon & Diet Conference in Santiago, Chile, held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile .
From Book Launch to Prize Winner: Congratulations, John Latham-Sprinkle!
Ten months ago, we proudly launched The North Caucasian Kingdom of Alania, 850–1240 , John Latham-Sprinkle’s groundbreaking study of a little-known medieval kingdom. 📖 Today, we are delighted to celebrate another remarkable achievement: John has been awarded the Royal Historical Socie...
From Lisbon with medieval perspectives!
SHOC members John Latham‑Sprinkle and Imma Petito recently took part in Small Worlds, Big Worlds: Medieval Mediterranean Perspectives , organised by the Society for the Medieval Mediterranean (SMM).
Class and gender at the ballot box: revisiting the 1961 Belgian elections
Why did an experienced female politician lose her place on the electoral list? And what role did class and gender play in that decision?
