History & Area Studies / Thematic History / Political & Institutional History
The Medieval Origins of Modern Accountability: How Kings Invented the Spreadsheet to Control You
Accounts and Accountability in Late Medieval Europe
This video explores the surprising and dark origins of accountability, tracing it back to medieval Europe. Based on the research in 'Accounts and Accountability in Late Medieval Europe' edited by Ionuț Epurescu-Pascovici, we reveal how the concept was not born from democratic ideals but from royal greed. We dive into the English Exchequer's ruthless tax farming system, the Savoyard princes' scheme to profit from draft dodgers, and the weaponization of Jewish community ledgers. Discover how medieval kings used accounting as a tool for control, and how this legacy still shapes our modern world of audits, credit scores, and data surveillance.
Site views and watch clicks are not YouTube play counts.
Comments
Comments are reviewed before publication. Do not include private information.