EH.N: CfP: "Medieval Social & Political Institutions: Their Economic Effects"

[Eona Karakacili]

Call For Papers: "Medieval Social & Political Institutions: Their 
Economic Effects"

University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

November 3, 2007


Economists have traditionally studied economic institutions - and 
hence outcomes - as optimal (although not necessarily efficient) 
responses to economic interests. The implicit assertion has been that 
neither historical development nor contemporary social-political 
contexts matter. Recent scholarship, however, has demonstrated the 
deficiencies of this assertion, and economists and political 
scientists have began to examine how the past, embodied in social and 
political institutions, influences economic institutions and hence 
outcomes. This shift in institutional analyses presents both a 
challenge and an opportunity to medieval historians and economic 
historians. What impact did such medieval institutions have on their 
societies' development? What was the heritage, if any, of medieval 
social and political institutions? Did they lead to distinct 
institutional, and hence economic historical trajectories?

This one day conference will be an intimate gathering of 
international scholars who focus on medieval economic history. We 
seek previously unpublished papers which address these issues 
concerning institutions for any geographical area or areas during the 
middle ages, c. 300 to c. 1500. We particularly encourage graduate 
scholars or junior scholars to participate and present their ongoing 
research.

Prospective presenters should submit vie email a two page abstract to 
both conference organizers by September 8, 2007. Notification of 
acceptance will be made by September 15, 2007.

Conference Organizers:

Eona Karakacili, Department of History, University of Western Ontario 
(eona at uwo.ca)

Nathan Sussman, Department of Economics, University of Western 
Ontario (nsussma at uwo.ca)