EH.N: CfP: IEHA Session -- Commodity Prices over Two Centuries: Resource Curse, De-Industrialization, Volatility and Development

[jwilliam at fas.harvard.edu]

Utrecht IEHA Session
August 3-7, 2009

Commodity Prices over Two Centuries:
Resource Curse, De-Industrialization, Volatility and Development

Most countries in the periphery have specialized in the export of just a 
handful of primary products for most of their history. Many shed this 
specialization in the 20th century and moved in to the export of 
manufactures and services. Some, especially in Africa, have not. Given 
the recent boom and bust in commodity prices, it might be a good time 
for economic historians to reassess commodity price experience and 
impact since the early 19th century. What has been the impact of 
commodity specialization? Did commodity price booms foster 
de-industrialization, and price busts industrialization? Have 
commodities always been more price volatile in the short run than 
manufactures, and has that fact inhibited growth in the commodity 
exporters? Does commodity specialization foster inequality, anti-growth 
institutions and thus a resource curse? Were 19th and 20th century trade 
debates well informed on these issues and did policy reflect that fact? 
Was commodity price history the same in Eastern and Southern Europe, 
Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?

Paper Deadlines:

To be considered for the session, paper titles and outlines must be 
received by the organizers no later than February 1, 2009. Proposals may 
be sent either to Federico, Ocampo or Williamson at the email addresses 
below.

Organizers:

Luis Bértola (Universidad de la República: Uruguay)
lbertola at fcs.edu.uy

Giovanni Federico (European University Institute: Italy)
Giovanni.Federico at IUE.it	

José Antonio Ocampo (Columbia University: Colombia)
ocampo.joseantonio at yahoo.com

Jeffrey G. Williamson (Harvard University and University of Wisconsin: USA)
jwilliam at fas.harvard.edu