Factors of production in the Roman world: land & natural resources, capital and labour: an introduction to the RSRC research program Arjan Zuiderhoek Roman Society Research Center Workshop 11. December 2009 Ghent University/ Free University of Brussels (VUB)

What is the plan? A series of international colloquia on the theme of production factors in the Roman world A series of international colloquia on the theme of production factors in the Roman world First colloquium 2011: Land & Natural Resources First colloquium 2011: Land & Natural Resources Publication of three (?) volumes based on the colloquia Publication of three (?) volumes based on the colloquia

Why this topic? Rome largest empire in European history, very populous, c. five centuries as unified political entity Rome largest empire in European history, very populous, c. five centuries as unified political entity Economic base: growth and development, or exploitation (or both)? Economic base: growth and development, or exploitation (or both)? Input and management production factors key to analysis Roman economic structure and performance through time Input and management production factors key to analysis Roman economic structure and performance through time

Theoretical framework? How to go about the analysis? How to go about the analysis? Neoclassical economics: production function as input-output model Neoclassical economics: production function as input-output model More input of capital, land, labour = more output => extensive growth. More input of capital, land, labour = more output => extensive growth. ‘Fourth factor’ innovation => increase of production without extra input => intensive or per capita growth ‘Fourth factor’ innovation => increase of production without extra input => intensive or per capita growth NC economics => market economy => factor markets NC economics => market economy => factor markets

But…. Finley et al. => no factor Finley et al. => no factor markets in antiquity Ideologies and institutions Ideologies and institutions of polis/civitas-citizenship prevented development of markets for land, labour and capital Hence no expansion of markets, no innovation, no growth Hence no expansion of markets, no innovation, no growth

So…how to proceed? Two main responses to Finley model (according to Cartledge/Morris) Two main responses to Finley model (according to Cartledge/Morris) -oversocialization critics: polis/civitas ideology is false consciousness hiding ‘real economy’ underneath, revealed by archaeological data -undersocialization critics: Finley underestimated ideological manipulation of economic terms in ancient texts How to reunite both approaches? How to reunite both approaches?

An alternative approach? Two developments, in Roman economic history, and in economic theory Two developments, in Roman economic history, and in economic theory In Roman economic history: increasing availability of time series of archaeological data => proxy for economic development, even rising living standards. In Roman economic history: increasing availability of time series of archaeological data => proxy for economic development, even rising living standards. A dynamic Roman economy? A dynamic Roman economy?

Lead pollution from Greenland ice-core samples Source: F. De Callataÿ, JRA 18 (2005)

Mediterranean shipwrecks Source: N. Morley, Cambridge Econ. Hist. Greco-Roman World, p. 572

Mammal bones per century (Italy) Source: W.M. Jongman, Cambridge Econ. Hist. Greco-Roman World, p. 613

Development in economic theory Development in economic theory -discovery of the ‘Abramowitz residual’ and debate about a fourth and further factors -rise of New Institutional Economics (NIE): institutional context explains (lack of) economic efficiency and growth (Douglass North)

Analytical framework NIE: Analytical framework NIE: Mentalities/worldviews (shared mental models) => Institutions (rules of the game), e.g. laws, constitutions, custom => Organizations (players of the game; individuals bound by common purpose to achieve some goal)

A NIE approach to factors of production in the Roman world? Offers opportunity to reintegrate cultural and material approaches to ancient economic life Offers opportunity to reintegrate cultural and material approaches to ancient economic life Allows for possibility that specific (Greco-) Roman institutions fostered, rather than hindered (Finley), economic growth Allows for possibility that specific (Greco-) Roman institutions fostered, rather than hindered (Finley), economic growth Allows for plurality of perspectives, by making work of cultural, social and economic historians relevant to each other Allows for plurality of perspectives, by making work of cultural, social and economic historians relevant to each other