Call for Papers for the 27th Summer School on History of Economic Thought, Economic Philosophy and Economic History

Capitalism, democracy and justice
Rome, 1-5 September 2025

The 2025 ESHET Summer School in History of Economic Thought, Economic Philosophy, and Economic History will take place in Rome, organised by the Department of Literature, Philosophy and Art History of the University of Rome Tor Vergata and PHARE (University of Paris 1 - Panthéon-Sorbonne).
The Summer School is open to Ph.D. students and young scholars (Ph.D. degree obtained after January 2023) in History of Economic Thought, Economic Philosophy, or Economic History. Approximately 20 proposals will be selected for presentation. The list of past Summer Schools is available on the ESHET website.

Presentation

In the current global landscape, economic and political dynamics are undergoing rapid and profound transformations, reshaping the fabric of societies and governance structures. The economic and political power interplay in recent U.S. presidential elections has sparked debates on the influence of wealth in democratic processes. Simultaneously, the European model of social protection, long considered a pillar of economic security and individual freedoms, faces mounting pressures from economic stagnation, demographic changes, and ideological challenges. At the global level, the rise of neo-mercantilism is leading to a contraction of international cooperation, with nation-states increasingly prioritizing national interests over multilateral agreements and globalization. Furthermore, the resurgence of populism across different political spectrums raises concerns about the erosion of democratic norms, the polarization of societies, and the potential consequences of economic nationalism.

As wealth inequality reaches unprecedented levels and the reciprocal influence between economic policies and political outcomes is widely debate, urgent questions emerge: how does economic power influence democratic institutions and policymaking? To what extent do technological advancements exacerbate or mitigate economic disparities? Is neoliberalism a sustainable framework for economic growth, or does it require re-evaluation in light of contemporary challenges?

The relationship between capitalism, democracy, and justice has long been a fundamental concern across disciplines, including economics, philosophy, political science, and the broader social sciences. This summer school will serve as a platform for students and scholars to critically engage with the intersections of capitalism, democracy, and justice through the lenses of the History of Economic Thought, Economic Philosophy, and Methodology.

Topics of Interest

• The Historical Evolution of Capitalism and Democratic Institutions
• Methodological Approaches to Analysing Capitalism and Democracy
• Contemporary Challenges at the Interface of Capitalism, Democracy and Justice
• Economic Power and the Defence of Liberal Democracy
• Nationalism vs. International Cooperation
• Neoliberalism and the Future of Capitalism
• Geo-economics in the history of economic thought between free trade and protectionism
• The Political Economy of Populism

WARNING: Whereas lectures given by senior scholars will deal with some of these issues, there is no specific theme for students’ presentations. Ph.D. students and young scholars are thus invited to send proposals on any topic in the History of Economic Thought, Economic Philosophy, and Economic History.

Submission Guidelines for Ph.D. students and Young Scholars

Papers will be selected from extended abstracts in English of 750 to 1000 words, or full-paper proposals of up to 7500 words. The abstract submission deadline is May 31st, 2025.

Abstracts must be sent together with a CV and a letter of recommendation from a supervisor, to paolo.paesani@uniroma2.it. Applications not including all of the required documents – abstract or full paper in English, CV, and a letter of recommendation – will not be taken into consideration.

Travel arrangements. Participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements and pay their travel costs.
Registration fees. The registration fee is 150€. Registration fees include accommodation in CampusX Roma Tor Vergata (https://www.cx-place.com/it/cxrome-tor-vergata-campus.html) 4 nights, double or single room depending on availability, check-in September 1, check-out September 5), daily breakfast and lunch, Summer School social dinner, participation to the leisure programmes, materials.
Venue: The Summer school will be held at the Department of Literature, Philosophy and Art History, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Columbia 1. The Campus X is within walking distance to the venue. A shuttle service will be available.

Notification of acceptance: June 30th, 2025
Submission of the final paper by August 18th, 2025
Registration and fee payment should be made by July 21th, 2025.