EH.N: CfP: Session, "Responses of economic systems to environmental change: past experiences, " XVth World Economic History Congress

[Pierre van der Eng]

Call for papers for the session
"Responses of economic systems to environmental change: past experiences"
XVth World Economic History Congress, Utrecht, 3-7 August 2009 
http://www.wehc2009.org/programme.asp?sid=3D103

The impact of environmental changes on human well-being has been well 
documented in numerous case studies that examined how exogenous 
shocks such as climate anomalies, changes in rainfall patterns, the 
spread of new strains of pests and diseases, or large scale volcanic 
eruptions resulted in catastrophic events (famines, epidemic, etc.) 
and in some cases durable disruption of economic conditions and a 
drastic decline of the standard of living. Often these studies lack a 
rigorous assessment of how economic systems responded to such 
exogenous shocks.

The session will explore how economic systems have responded to these 
exogenous shocks, as well as to other type of changes in the natural 
environment that could be regarded as mostly endogenous, for example 
deforestation. In particular, the session intends to investigate how 
factor and product market mechanisms and institutions worked during 
these episodes; explore how markets may have induced technical change 
and/or innovations as responses to environmental change; and document 
cases of market failure or public policy failure in response to 
environmental change. A few studies have already explored market 
behaviour during famines induced by climate anomalies and the 
response of public authorities to epidemic outbreaks. However, much 
more research can be done on further aspects of environmental change, 
including comparative perspectives.

Historical studies may contribute to the current debate on climate 
change by highlighting the diversity of ways in which economic 
systems have in the past responded environmental changes. Most of the 
exogenous shocks were of a different nature and magnitude than the 
current issue of climate change, while responses of economic systems 
are likely to have varied depending on their institutional context. 
Still, case studies may draw attention to some of the difficulties in 
implementing public policies that aim to abate the consequences of 
environmental change. Hence, historical studies could offer 
experiences that may inform the current debate about the required 
public policy responses to climate change.

Submissions
The organisers of this session welcome suggestions and proposals for 
papers to be presented at this session. If you are interested in 
participating in this session, please send an outline of your 
proposed paper to the session organisers:

Dr Jean-Pascal Bassino
Faculty of Mathematics and Social Sciences
Paul Valery University
Route de Mende
34000 Montpellier
France
E-mail: jean-pascal.bassino at univ-montp3.fr

and/or

Dr Pierre van der Eng
ANU College of Business and Economics
Copland Building 1096
Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200
Australia
E-mail: pierre.vandereng at anu.edu.au

The session organisers will select papers that come close to the 
specified theme of the session and they expect participants to attend 
one of two pre-conference sessions in Australia or France in November 
2008 and February 2009.