This conference brings together scholars in the field of American history who see capitalism as an important category of analysis and a topic for inquiry in its own right. Professor Richard White of Stanford University will deliver the keynote address. Five panels will present exciting new research and discuss central themes such as business and politics, property relations, legal regimes, community and entrepreneurship, and ideological challenges to capitalism. With this conference, we aim to help revitalize the historical study of capitalism, reflect on the present state of this subfield and its place within American history, and delineate directions for future research.

October 26-28, 2006
Thompson Room, Barker Center, 12 Quincy Street, Cambridge (with opening reception at Baker Library, Harvard Business School).

The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is strongly recommended. All papers have been pre-circulated and are now available for download with registration. For further information, please visit our website at: www.fas.harvard.edu/polecon/conference