Alessandro Stanziani, Bondage, Labor and Rights in Eurasia from the Sixteenth to the Early Twentieth Centuries

For a long time, Russia and Eastern Europe have formed the negative counter‑example of historical developments in the West. It was conveniently fitted to any aspect desired : “modernization,” “civilization,” economic development, civil society etc. The contemporary political and social basis for this traditional view has significantly eroded after 1989 (although it does recur in the wake of political crises, such as the present one). Since, historians have not only thoroughly analyzed traditi..

Agrarian Dualism in Europe? Historiography on Demesne Lordship and Rural Society in Central and East Europe

During the last two decades, studies on the agrarian history of East-Central and Eastern Europe led to significant changes in the interpretation of the model of demesne lordship (Gutsherrschaft). The paper analyzes, which aspects of the concept have been subject to critical evaluation by recent research. New methodological approaches in historical research made possible a change of perspectives in the historiography of demesne lordship, which now focuses on the subject population and tries to overcome traditional notions of a clear-defined border of agrarian structures between Western and Eastern Europe. The importance of the concept for future research in economic, social and agrarian history of (Eastern) Europe will depend on designing a new and coherent model of demesne lordship and demesne economy based on the results of the recent research efforts and criticisms. During the last two decades, studies on the agrarian history of East-Central and Eastern Europe led to significant changes in the interpretation of the model of demesne lordship (Gutsherrschaft). The paper analyzes, which aspects of the concept have been subject to critical evaluation by recent research. New methodological approaches in historical research made possible a change of perspectives in the historiography of demesne lordship, which now focuses on the subject population and tries to overcome traditional notions of a clear-defined border of agrarian structures between Western and Eastern Europe. The importance of the concept for future research in economic, social and agrarian history of (Eastern) Europe will depend on designing a new and coherent model of demesne lordship and demesne economy based on the results of the recent research efforts and criticisms.&nbsp