The aim of this symposium is to give young scholars in the history of economics a forum in which they can reflect on the future of their discipline. The topic has of course been discussed for some time now (most prominently in the 2002 HOPE supplement). Yet, to date, most of the voices in the debate have belonged to established scholars, and there is reason to think that young scholars' perspectives may differ.

The main question that will be addressed during the symposium is whether there is such a thing as a future of the history of economics. In light of the pessimistic predictions expressed by many of the previous participants in this debate, and in light of the decreasing opportunities to pursue graduate studies in the history of economics, it is something of a mystery that so many young scholars choose to pursue a career in the field. Presumably, this does not just reveal a preference for a future in the discipline, but also a belief that there will be such a discipline, and that it will contain a place for them.

A skeptical observer may insist that such decisions are the result of youthful innocence and/or an inability to do "real economics." It is also possible, however, that young scholars have reasons to believe in a future for the field. This symposium intends to give them an opportunity to articulate and discuss such reasons, if any.

Insofar as the first question is answered in the affirmative, we also expect participants to explore the nature of the discipline, both what they think will happen and what they would want to happen. Questions to be discussed may include: How will future historians of economics be educated? What will be the character of their work? What methods will they use? How will they make themselves relevant? How will they disseminate their work? What will be their institutional home, and how will they interact with other fields?

One reason why we should listen to these sholars is that, to the extent that there will be a discipline at all, it will inevitably be shaped by them.

'Introduction,' Paola Tubaro (University of Paris X Nanterre) and Erik Angner (University of Alabama at Birmingham). [Fulltext (subscription required)] [Penultimate draft]

‘More Economics, Please: We’re historians of economics,’ Ivan Moscati (Bocconi University Milan). [Fulltext (subscription required)] [Penultimate draft]

'History of Economics or a Selected History of Economics?,' Nuno Pedro G. Palma (Northwestern University). [Fulltext (subscription required)] [Penultimate draft]

‘Philosophy and a Scientific Future of the History of Economics,’ Eric Schliesser (Leiden University). [Fulltext (subscription required)] [Penultimate draft]