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Event Series

Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800


The Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 serves as a forum for discussion of research in progress and forthcoming papers on issues in comparative political economy, institutional change, and issues in historical institutionalism. It brings together faculty, visiting scholars, and graduate students from Harvard, MIT, and other colleges in the Boston area. This seminar especially welcomes regular participants who plan on attending most sessions during the semester. In lieu of a formal presentation, attendees are expected to read a paper in advance of each seminar and participate in a discussion. Relevant papers are shared at least a week in advance of each seminar.


** Please note: Events in this seminar series do not include a presentation. Attendees of this seminar are expected to read a paper in advance and enter into a discussion. To receive a copy of the paper and the Zoom link for virtual events, please email Morgan Gillespie at mgillesp@mit.edu.**


Seminar Events Calendar

Place Not Race: Identities, Social Proximity and the Global Climate Emergency Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Place Not Race: Identities, Social Proximity and the Global Climate Emergency
December 6, 2024
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Volha Charnysh – Ford Career Development Associate Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Local Affiliate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Preston R. Johnston – Ph.D. Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Chair Kathleen Thelen – Ford Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Politics of Concentrated Advantage Seminar on State and Capitalism Since 1800 — The Politics of Concentrated Advantage
February 7, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Katherine Levine Einstein – Associate Professor of Political Science; Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Political Science, Boston University
  • Stephanie Ternullo – Assistant Professor of Government, Harvard University
  • Chair Kathleen Thelen – Ford Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Creative Construction: The Rise and Stall of Mass Infrastructure in Latin America Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Creative Construction: The Rise and Stall of Mass Infrastructure in Latin America
February 21, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Alisha C. Holland – Professor of Government, Harvard University
  • Chair Peter A. Hall – Krupp Foundation Professor of European Studies, Harvard University; Resident Faculty & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Senior Advisor, Executive Committee, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Class, Country and Cleavage: Inequality, Mobility and the Transformation of Electoral Politics over the Long Run Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Class, Country and Cleavage: Inequality, Mobility and the Transformation of Electoral Politics over the Long Run
March 7, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Torben Iversen – Harold Hitchings Burbank Professor of Political Economy, Harvard University; Faculty Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Philipp Rehm – Professor of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University
  • Chair Peter A. Hall – Krupp Foundation Professor of European Studies, Harvard University; Resident Faculty & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Senior Advisor, Executive Committee, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Democracy as Disequilibrium Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Democracy as Disequilibrium
April 4, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Amel Ahmed – Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • Chair Kathleen Thelen – Ford Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
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