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Friday 9 March 2018 – Standard Contracts as Pathways to Global Markets – the Experience of the London Corn Trade Association (1880-1914) by Professor Jérôme Sgard

Standard Contracts as Pathways to Global Markets – the Experience of the London Corn Trade Association (1880-1914)

Friday, 9 March 2018 / 14.00 – 16.30

Professor Jérôme Sgard

(Professor, Sciences Po Ecole de Droit)

Commodity markets were typically governed during the first global era (ca 1870-1914) by private, London-based “Trade Associations”, managed by a small number of top market insiders. One of their key contribution was to write and constantly adjust a set of Standard Contracts, tailored to each specific commodity and to each country or port of origin. These contracts followed the English contract law and were confirmed and eventually enforced by English courts. But such intervention proved extremely rate, just as, more generally the support from government authorities when dealing with foreign countries or authorities. No concern whatsoever was shown either for rules of international law (private or public). Hence, private ordering on a trade basis and self-enforcement worked pretty well within an overall geopolitical order that was clearly imperialist and hegemonic.

 

Friday 9 March, 2018

Meeting Room, Ecole de Droit, 14.00 – 16.30

4th floor (room 410T), 13 rue de l’université, 75007 Paris

IMPORTANT:

Due to security measures, access to Sciences Po buildings is restricted.

If you intend to attend the seminar, please send an email to filipe.silva@sciencespo.fr indicating your full name. Security officers will be provided with the list of participants.

Do not forget to bring a VALID ID.