The Association for Institutional Thought
2012 Call for Papers
The 33rd annual meeting of AFIT will be held
April 11-14, 2012
Houston, Texas
Hyatt Regency, Houston
In conjunction with the Western Social Science Association (WSSA) 54th Annual Conference
Theme for the 2012 Conference: Institutionalism and Building a Better Future
The evolution of institutions-changes in the social, cultural, and legal environment in which individuals and groups of individuals operate and make decisions-is critical to making sense of the current state of the economy. Rarely have the stakes been so high in understanding what transpired in taking the economy to where it is today and in understanding the implications of current and future social and economic policies. Institutional economists bring a rich and robust tradition to the holistic analysis of economic activity where ‘people matter’ that can contribute to this understanding.
The theme for the 2012 AFIT conference is: Institutionalism and Building a Better Future. Since 2012 is a presidential election year, it is even more urgent than ever that Institutional analysts make sure their voices are heard in various policy discussions. Topics for presentations may include: historical analysis of the current crisis (what brought the economy to this point and why), how do ‘differences’ play into access to economic opportunity and outcomes, as well as how sound policy may contribute to building a better system of social provisioning for all people. The organizer recognizes that there are many topics of interest to institutional-heterodox economists that are not connected to the conference theme and papers on those topics are welcome as well.
The Association for Institutional Thought provides an excellent platform for the delivery of papers concerned with theoretic and applied issues in a broad range of areas. AFIT sessions are well-attended, and presenters can expect to receive valuable comments on their work.
Proposals for complete sessions are encouraged—see the submission format below. If you are proposing a complete session, please arrange to have discussants for your papers and a moderator for your session.
It is anticipated that at least one panel of graduate student papers will be included in the program this year. In addition, AFIT will continue to sponsor prizes for outstanding student papers. A formal announcement of this year’s competition is attached.
AFIT will continue the tradition of having one or more sessions that explores ideas, experiences, and materials to advance economic education from institutional and other heterodox perspectives. Participants in these roundtables are encouraged to submit their materials to the conference organizer for posting on the AFIT web site. AFIT is also receptive to proposals for panels to review and discuss books recently published by AFIT members.
Individuals whose papers are accepted may also be expected to serve as a discussant for a different paper at the meetings. If you list the areas you prefer to discuss, all attempts will be made to match your preferences.
Proposal Format: Paper
Title of the Paper
Name, Affiliation, Mailing Address, Telephone Number, E-mail Address
Other Authors
Abstract (not exceeding 200 words; type in New Times Roman 12)
Proposal Format: Session
Title of the Session
Title of each Paper (3/4 papers)
Moderator with Affiliation, Mailing Address, Telephone Number, E-mail Address
Discussant(s) with Affiliation, Mailing Address, Telephone Number, E-mail Address
Presenters with Affiliation, Mailing Address, Telephone Number, E-mail Address
Abstract for each paper for the session (not exceeding 200 words; type in New Times Roman 12)
Anyone interested in attending the AFIT Conference or in finding out more about the organization may visit the AFIT web site at http://www.associationforinstitutionalthought.org/ Conference registration information can be found at the WSSA web site http://wssa.asu.edu.
You must be a member of AFIT to present a paper at the conference—there are no exceptions. Annual dues are $25. Annual dues for full-time students is $15. Contact Mary Wrenn, Secretary-Treasurer of AFIT at MaryWrenn@weber.edu for additional information.
All participants are required to register for the WSSA-AFIT conference prior to March 1, 2012. This means everybody: professors, graduate students, undergraduate students—there are no exceptions.
All proposals must be sent to the conference organizer by December 1, 2011. Send proposals by E-mail with the subject line AFIT 2012 Proposal Last name and file attachment in Microsoft Word or RTF format to the conference organizer and Vice President of AFIT:
Barbara Wiens-Tuers, Ph.D.
baw16@psu.edu
Penn StateAltoona
The Association for Institutional Thought
Seventh Annual Student Scholars Award Competition
The Association for Institutional Thought (AFIT) proudly announces the Seventh Annual AFIT Student Scholars Award Competition. The aim of AFIT is to encourage undergraduate and graduate students in Economics and Political Economy to pursue research in topics within the Institutional Economics framework.
Awards will be made to the three best papers. Winners are expected to present their research during a special session at the Annual Meetings of AFIT, held during the Western Social Science Association’s 54th Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Houston, April 11-14, 2012.
Winners will each receive:
1.$300 prize
2.One year student membership in AFIT
3.Paid WSSA Conference Registration
4.Paid admission to the AFIT Presidential Address Dinner
Winning papers must be presented at the special AFIT session in order to be eligible for the prize. Prizes will be presented during the AFIT Presidential Address Dinner.
Application Procedures and Deadlines
Papers must be between 15-25 pages in length, including references and appendices. They should be submitted electronically (preferably in Word format) by December 15, 2011 to:
Daniel A. Underwood Professor, Economics & Environmental Science Peninsula College 1502 East Lauridsen Blvd. Port Angeles, WA 98362 USA E-mail: dunderwood@pencol.edu
Winners will be notified by 1/15/12.