Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/247000 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
EHES Working Papers in Economic History No. 69
Publisher: 
European Historical Economics Society (EHES), s.l.
Abstract: 
This study investigates the origins of the guild revolts in late medieval central Europe. At first, using newly compiled city level data, their temporal evolution and spatial distribution is discussed. Afterwards, the paper provides a historical discussion and empirical analysis of their origins. The results show that pre-existing city-level political institutions and location in a large territorial state were important for the emergence of late medieval guild revolts. Furthermore, the agricultural productivity of the region around a city matters in a negative way confirming the role of the late medieval agricultural crisis in the outbreak of the revolts. Other important factors are a city's urban environment and market potential, its degree of autonomy and its commercial, industrial as well as political importance. This suggests that economic change can trigger political changes. I also found evidence for the existence of spatial spillovers from the developments in neighboring cities implying that rational strategic considerations played a role in the spread of the revolts.
Subjects: 
Late Medieval
Early-Modern Period
Political Institutions
Political Change
Guild Revolts
Cities
JEL: 
N44
N94
O10
R11
H11
D72
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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