Arthur van Riel

Arthur van Riel is an Endowed Professor at the Department of History, Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam. His work bridges historical analysis and contemporary economic policy, focusing on the evolution of financial and welfare systems in the Netherlands and Europe.

His research interests include historical political economy, the sustainability of the welfare state, private debt dynamics, money creation, and the future of central banking. He explores how long-term institutional expectations shape economic behavior and policy resilience.

The recent publications of Arthur van Riel reflect a deep engagement with Dutch socioeconomic history and current policy challenges. His works span topics from postwar private debt growth to the sustainability of healthcare and the complexities of EU governance. Common themes include institutional continuity, financial system stability, and the interplay between historical legacies and modern economic pressures.

He has contributed to both academic and public discourse, publishing in peer-reviewed journals such as Tijdschrift voor Sociale en Economische Geschiedenis and public outlets like NRC Handelsblad.

Arthur van Riel collaborates with scholars across disciplines, including political science and public administration. His 2025 inaugural lecture, titled De Welvaartsstaat als Verwachtingspatroon, underscores his focus on the welfare state as a socio-political expectation rather than merely an economic structure.