Institutions, taxation, and market relationships in ancient Athens

Arbeitspapier

This paper explores the mutual influence between the institutional development in Athens in the archaic and classical periods and the contemporary changes in economic life. This enhances our understanding of the causes and consequences of institutional change. It is also worth exploring in view of the suggested connections between economic development, markets and democracy. Between 600 and 322 B.C., Athenian society underwent significant institutional change. Rule by a birth aristocracy gave way to (changing) democratic institutions. Political pay was introduced for magistrates, jurors, and assemblymen. Legislation and execution was transferred to the Assembly and to the courts. The nature and extent of taxation changed. In the same period, economic life changed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Trade and specialisation increased, coinage was introduced and self-sufficient farming gradually gave way to reliance on imports and on the market for necessary goods. These changes not only influenced institutional change, they also affected people's perception of the world. The influence of institutions on the presence and nature of economic transactions is obvious. The influence on institutional change from changes in economic behaviours and outlook seems however potentially equally important.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper ; No. 2008:9

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior ; Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents: General ; Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: Europe: Pre-1913 ; Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements ; Capitalist Systems: Political Economy
• Subject: institutional change ; democracy ; market ; Athens ; antiquity

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Lyttkens, Carl Hampus
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Lund University, School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics
• (where): Lund
• (when): 2008

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/259957
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET