Project title: Economic History and Political Economy: Croatia since 1918 (Ekonomska
povijest i politička ekonomija: Hrvatska od 1918. godine), Acronym: EPPE (FPZG-IP-06)
Thematical area of the project: International relations, National security, International
political economy, public policy
Duration of the project: 24 months (start date: 10/2025 – end date: 09/2027)
Total cost: 22.553,29 EUR (100 % EU contribution NextGenerationEU)

Principle investigator (PI): Assistant professor Josip Lučev

Research team members:
Full professor Zdravko Petak (FPZG)
Full professor Dejan Jović (FPZG)
Full professor Dagmar Radin (FPZG)
Associate professor Marko Grdešić (FPZG)
Associate professor Vladimir Filipović (associated external expert, Libertas International
University)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The project deals with a political science approach to the economic history of Croatia, a topic
that has not been sufficiently researched in science so far. The theoretical framework is the
application of institutional analysis (path dependence, institutional complementarity) and growth
models (demand side, supply side, analysis of economic structure) to the phases of historical
economic development in the territory of today's Croatia.
The project follows the FPZG teaching activities through which new content in economic
history has appeared at the Faculty in the last few years (a 2.5 ECTS workshop, an undergraduate
course and a doctoral course). A new 2.5 ECTS workshop is also being implemented within the
project, entitled Crises in Croatian Economic History. As its main result, the project will also
offer an edited volume (book) related to key topics and proposed periods to the project's
objectives. This book will also serve as teaching material for the course Economic History of
Croatia since the 19th Century. It will thus respond to the perceived lack of literature appropriate
for political science students.

The research will be conducted using a combination of classical and innovative methods in
economic history. It includes two research/study trips including the digitization and processing
of archived material. The application of the new theoretical framework also ensures an additional
contribution to science. The organization of the conference serves as the first test of the
developed framework of Croatian economic history and brings together various contributions.
Dissemination of the research also takes place through participation in three international
conferences and the preparation of at least three scientific papers that will be sent to A1 journals.
The project also includes activities related to the popularization of science through podcast
episodes that deal with the topics covered with the general interested public as the intended
audience.
 
Contact: Assistant professor Josip Lučev (josip.lucev@fpzg.hr)