International Conference 2013: Cooperation or Conflict? Economics of natural resources and food

This conference will further economic research on cooperation and conflict at individual, group and international levels. We invite theoretical and empirical contributions from institutional, behavioral, experimental and mainstream economics.

May 29-31, 2013

Wageningen University, The Netherlands


Important dates

  • December 1, 2012: Submission deadline extended abstracts
  • January 31, 2013: Notification of accepted papers
  • March 15, 2013: Registration deadline
  • May 29-31, 2013: Conference    

Theme and scope

Economic relations between nations, groups and individuals are often governed by cooperation or conflict. The increasing awareness of transnational problems in a globalized economy makes cooperation between nations or public and private groups imperative. Global cooperation that improves economic efficiency makes it easier to improve human welfare, environmental quality and food security, but weak property rights or regulatory mechanisms combined with growing consumption can lead to growing pressure on natural resources and conflicts over land, water, and clean air.

Improved communication links among people can lead to either conflict or cooperation, depending on the balance between interactions and misunderstandings. A proper understanding of the determinants of cooperation and conflict is a prerequisite for improving the status of the global and local commons.