The interplay of markets and other institutions, such as peasant families, local communities, capitalist firms or states, has traditionally occupied a central position in the historiography of rural Europe. As a result, the development of rural societies in Europe is usually understood as a process linked to the parallel development of nearby cities and other, more distant markets. More specifically, whilst in the last centuries industrialisation destroyed some of the traditional peasant activities, it also provided some new options. Thus, farm specialisation was fostered by the growth of urban markets and, even more importantly, non-peasant activities (in industrial and service sectors) gained a greater role. The outcome was a clear trend towards diversification in rural societies and the spread of capitalist labour relations (based on the wage mechanism). Such transformations have had a remarkable impact on the rural environment.
This conference aims at exploring how the involvement of rural populations and communities in different kinds of markets (for agricultural commodities, labour, land, capital) has influenced the management of rural land in Europe. Micro-level, farm-based analyses are welcome, as well as papers that deal with this topic from a higher level of aggregation (we suggest regional levels, and comparative analyses of different regions or countries in Europe would be most welcome). There is no particular focus on any historical period – in fact, we hope to receive papers that range from the Middle Ages to the present day and help us to gain a better understanding of the historical evolution of rural Europe.

Submissions should include an abstract (1 page) and must be send via e-mail to the organiser
Professor Vicente Pinilla
Department of Applied Economics and Economic History, University of Zaragoza
vpinilla@unizar.es
by no later than 1 March 2006. Acceptance decisions will be communicated at the end of March. About 12 papers will be accepted. All presentations will be pre-circulated to discussants and participants.

The deadline for finished paper is August 31, 2006. All participants belonging to signatories countries* of this Cost Action will be reimbursed for travel, accommodation and food expenses.

*Up to now the following countries have signed this Cost Action: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.