Ober on the Ancient Greek Economy

Josiah Ober talks with host Russ Roberts about the economy of ancient Greece, particularly Athens. The standard view of ancient Greece is that it was very poor. Ober argues that Greece was actually quite successful, and that the average citizen of ancient Athens lived quite well by ancient standards. He suggests two possible explanations for Greece's economic success--an openness of the political process that reduced transaction costs and encouraged human capital investment or innovation and cross-fertilization across Greek states. The conversation also explores the nature of evidence for understanding antiquity and the prospect for future discoveries pertaining to ancient Greece.