"Why are we so rich and they so poor?" - This succinctly phrased citation of such poignant political, social and economic significance - attributed to David Landes in the 1990s - has been at the heart of controversial debate in both economics and the social sciences since the eighteenth century at least. Ultimately, any attempt to answer the question calls for a better understanding of long-term processes of economic development, and critical analysis of the factors impacting such processes.

Existing theories mostly grasp economic development - at least under conditions of market economy - as a relatively stable process of growth, as result of which the technological and economic parameters steadily improve. It is postulated that interruptions to this process are solely a consequence of structural hiccups within the complex mesh of economic sectors. The latest global financial and economic crisis, though, has once more irrefutably shown that in reality socio-economic development processes by no means follow long-term, relatively stable paths of equilibrium: rather, they are subject to upheavals, asynchronies, and asymmetries that every now and then give rise to crises of varying severity and duration. Moreover, a glance at history reveals it was only in the past 200 years that we could observe a relatively continuous increase in wealth - and that this certainly does not constitute a global phenomenon.

This is the problem the forthcoming Herrenhausen Conference wishes to address by revisiting the "old" but ongoing inquiry into the character, dynamics, and determinants of long-term socio-economic processes in national economies.

We invite all researchers and experts working in this field to take part in our Herrenhausen Conference "Long-Term Processes of Socio-Economic Development: Stagnation, Growth, Divergence and Crises".

There is no fee for the attendance, but registration is essential.

----

Our Conference Topics at a Glance

Which new insights on long-term development processes can be gained by taking into account the impact of divergent and historically changing economic cultures and institutions?

To what extent are crucial turning points in socio-economic development processes triggered by crises and change? If these are both seen as inherent components of the process, is it possible to identify new explanatory models?

How do individual, institutional and societal patterns of learning and historical experience influence the long-term development of economies? To what extent can differences in individual and societal preferences shed light on the resilience of economic systems and societies as well as their ability to manage change? How are these factors interacting and how do they manifest themselves? What is the effect of unstable dynamics in other areas like demographic transitions, for instance?

Which economic and regulatory measures present themselves in respect of critical resources?

Session 1: Determinants of Long-run Development and Global Differences in Economic Performance

Session 2: Transitions and Crises as Determinants of Development?

Session 3: Learning for the Future: The Role of Demographic Change, Preferences, Culture and Experience

----

30 Travel Grants available

The Volkswagen Foundation offers up to 30 Travel Grants which will cover the conference attendance, accommodation and travel expenses (excl. cab fares, parking, food and beverages while travelling and poster printing costs).

All recipients of the travel grants are required to present their project in a three minute "Lightning Talk" as well as on a poster, which will be exhibited in a poster session.

Applicants for "travel grant" or "poster only" are required to apply until August 15, 2015, by using the application form at form.jotformeu.com/form/50192756981363. We are not able to consider applications submitted after this deadline.

----

Program Committee

- Prof. Dr. Alexander Ebner, University of Frankfurt
- Prof. Dr. Margrit Grabas, Saarland University
- Prof. Dr. Uwe Sunde, University of Munich