From templars to XXI century businessmen

Alejandro Gómez (ninth from left to right), during the Economic History Seminar

In order to know aspects of Austrian economics and philosophy in precise cases of economic history and to extend knowledge on the liberal foundations as a source of economic wealth creation and social progress, the professors of Economic Process and Social Philosophy, from the Henry Hazlitt Center of the Francisco Marroquín University, participated in the Seminary of Economic History, imparted by Alejandro Gómez.

During the first session, on January 23 of 2006, they studied the Middle Ages and the differences between a closed economy and an open one; as well as the subsistence of the commercial opening and the role of the merchants and the resurgence of the monetary economy.

In the second meeting, the following Monday, they spoke of the creation and the destruction of the wealth in America; of how the conquer caused two different results according to the models applied in North America and Iberoamérica.  And the incentives that generated such different results.

The third session, that will be celebrated Monday 6 of February, will be on the Industrial Revolution, its causes and consequences; why it takes place in certain countries.  What kind of goods are produced in greater amounts and what sectors of the society are affected mostly.

The last session will take place on February the and will be about the industralist success; the roll of the industralist in the life of the society and if its wealth is translated in benefits for the society.

Between the assigned readings are The history of money: from the arenaceous stone to cyberspace, by Jack Weatherford; The wealth and poverty of nations, by David Landes; Capitalism and the historians, by Friedrich A. Hayek; and History of Forbes, by Daniel Gross.

Alejandro Gómez has a Master in Arts in Latin American Studies, University of Chicago; MBA, Superior School of Economy and Administration of Companies, Argentina; and Graduated in History, University of Belgrado.  He wrote his doctorate thesis on José Cecilio del Valle, the Independence father of Centralamerica.  He also teaches in the School of Businesses of the UFM, the seminary The technological revolution and its social changes.

The participants in the seminary are Juan Fernando Aldana, Christian Alvarez, Esteban Andrino, Fernando Aragón, Jorge Benavides, Paul Boteo, Juan Callejas, Ricardo Castillo, Paola Constantino, Jorge Luis Contreras, Regina del Cid, Carlos Delgado, Marta Yolanda Diaz-Durán, Claudia Fahsen, Luis Figueroa, Cecilia Flores, Patricia Forero, Yolanda de Sandoval, Jessica Lazo, Rossana de Grazioso, Maria Andrea Monterroso, Guillermo Morales, Otto Niño, Ramon Parellada, Alejandra Pineda, Rocío Pinto, Carlos Posadas, Ivonne de Suárez, Juan Jose Ramirez y Verónica Spross de Rivera.

More photos,
here.