Central banks and development: perspectives from the history of economics

Before the advent of independent central banks that work under minimalist mandates, many central banks used to play a larger role in the economy by directly allocating funds to various sectors and projects thought to be crucial for economic development. This workshop will bring together scholars working on/interested in the various aspects related to the adoption, practice, institutionalization, and demise of “development central banking” during the 20th century—mainly, but not only, in Latin America and other developing countries. We are particularly interested in research that explores topics such as:

– Discussions leading up to the nationalization of central banks and/or the institutional changes that gave them a greater/more direct role in the economy.

– The evolution of economic research, tools, and data gathering/production processes involved in the functioning of central banks during this period.

– The evolution of the presence of economists (on the staff, board, and elsewhere) and the interaction between economics and other forms of expert knowledge at central banks during this period.

– Criticisms and defenses of the role of central banks in economic development in academia, think tanks, multilateral organizations, etc. during this period.

– Discussions leading up to the independence of central banks and the constraining of their mandates, as well as divergences between de jure and de facto behavior after their independence.

The workshop is organized by the YSI – History of Economic Thought Work Group and will take place at the University of Évora on 5 December, 2024, the day before the conference of the Iberan Society for the History of Economic Thought (AIHPE, 6-7 December). 

The deadline to apply is 10 May. Applicants will receive a response by early-june at the latest. Accommodation for the workshop and the conference will be provided free of charge, and funding to cover the transportation costs of participants will also be available—the amount will be decided on a case by-case-basis depending on the country of residence. To apply to the workshop please fill out this form. Please note that applying to the workshop and applying to the conference are separate procedures.

If you have doubts or questions of any kind please email the workshop organizers:

• Juan Acosta, Universidad del Valle, [email protected]
• Gianandrea Nodari, Université de Genève, [email protected]