Skip to content

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 Kate Searle at ksearle@mit.edu.**


Seminar Events Calendar

Wealth Tax Preferences in an Age of Inequality: The Role of Housing and Information Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Wealth Tax Preferences in an Age of Inequality: The Role of Housing and Information
October 24, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Ben Ansell – Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions & Professorial Fellow, Nuffield College, University of Oxford
  • Cathie Jo Martin – Professor Emerita of Political Science, Boston University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, 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 and Kathleen Thelen – Ford Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Weil Meets Pistor: Intellectual Property and the Fissuring of Political Economy Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Weil Meets Pistor: Intellectual Property and the Fissuring of Political Economy
November 14, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Erik Peinert – Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boston University
  • Nathan Wilmers – Erwin H. Schell Associate Professor of Management & Associate Professor of Work and Organization Studies, MIT Sloan School of Management
  • 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 and Kathleen Thelen – Ford Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Structural Transformation and Value Change: The British Abolitionist Movement Seminar on the State and Capitalism Since 1800 — Structural Transformation and Value Change: The British Abolitionist Movement
December 5, 2025
1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Valentin Figueroa – Assistant Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • 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 and Kathleen Thelen – Ford Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate & Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Close