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on History and Philosophy of Economics |
| By: | Spash, Clive L. |
| Abstract: | Today, environmental economics is the response of the neoclassical economic school to the ecological crisis, but at one time its leading contributors regarded it as a revolutionary development that would change the conduct and content of economics as a discipline. Understanding and addressing environmental pollution was core to that potential paradigm shift. In tracing the history of conceptualising pollution as an externality and market failure this paper covers the development of ideas by Marshall, Pigou, Pareto, Coase, Stigler, Samuelson, Ciciacy-Wantrup and Kapp. Pollution externality theory is shown to have incorporated an elitist ethics and liberal market ideology. As a market failure pollution was deemed a minor correctible error of the price system. Monetary valuation of social and environmental harm became the means of justifying optimal levels of pollution. Neoliberal theories of spreading property rights further watered down potential interventionist aspects. Bio-physical realism, in the work of Kneese, Ayres and d’Arge, and social realism in Kapp’s theory of cost shifting were lost once environmental economics adopted a deductivist mathematical formalism. Kapp’s alternative theory is based on a classic institutionalists economic understanding of cost shifting and power relations. It advocates a public policy response in the form of objective social minima achieved via regulation and planning. This theory has until now been successfully supressed to prevent a potential revolutionary paradigm shift in economic price theory. |
| Keywords: | externalities; market failure, cost shifting; price theory; pollution; Pigou; Coase; Kapp; paradigm shift; environmental economics, neoclassical economics; institutional economics, neoliberal |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus009:8108&r= |
| By: | Felix Windegger; Clive L. Spash |
| Abstract: | The hegemonic role of neoliberal ideas in todayÂ’s political-economic thought and practice has shaped the common way of thinking about freedom in Western society and more generally in the international community. This involves a negative, individualistic and market-centred interpretation of the concept. In contrast, visions of a degrowth society offer a radical alternative based on Cornelius CastoriadisÂ’ notion of autonomy. This paper outlines how this formulation of freedom can be conceptualised relative to the predominant neoliberal theory. We present an overview and contrast of both positions and then follow this up with an empirical study. More specifically, we probe the extent to which the degrowth movement actually follows the Castoriadian theory of freedom as opposed to the hegemonic neoliberal conception. Results are reported from a survey conducted at the 2018 Degrowth Conference in Malmö, Sweden. While survey participants were found to hold positions consistent with the Castoriadian theory, we also identify problematic and under-conceptualised aspects in their understanding of freedom. This points to the need for the degrowth movement to directly address its theoretical foundations, and elaborate on and strengthen its vision of freedom compatible with a future degrowth society. |
| Keywords: | Political economy; freedom; Degrowth; neoliberalism; autonomy; social-ecological economic transformation; Castoriadis; Hayek; Friedman |
| JEL: | A13 B5 O44 P1 P48 Q57 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwsre:sre-disc-2021_02&r= |
| By: | Klarizze Anne Martin Puzon; Rachel M. Gisselquist |
| Abstract: | Using illustrations from research on inequality, this paper offers evidence on the strengths of 'behavioural synthesis', i.e. the reconciliation between neoclassical and behavioural economics. We compare how theoretical models of absolute and relative inequality have evolved from assumptions of income maximization to status-seeking competition, and to altruism. We emphasize the relevance of experiments in testing competing theories and mitigating empirical shortcomings. We conclude that methodological pluralism, i.e. |
| Keywords: | Inequality, Behavioral economics, Behaviour, Methodology (Economics) |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2021-76&r= |
| By: | Asiedu, Edward; Karlan, Dean S.; Lambon-Quayefio, Monica; Udry, Christopher |
| Abstract: | Ethics in social science experimentation and data collection are often discussed but rarely articulated in writing as part of research outputs. Although papers typically reference human subjects research approvals from relevant institutional review boards, most recognize that such boards are not comprehensive ethical assessments. We propose a structured ethics appendix to provide details on the following: policy equipoise, role of the researcher, potential harms to participants and nonparticipants, conflicts of interest, intellectual freedom, feedback to participants, and foreseeable misuse of research results. We discuss each of these, and some of the norms and challenging situations of each. We believe that discussing such issues explicitly in appendices of papers, even if briefly, will serve two purposes: more complete communication of ethics can improve discussions of papers and can clarify and improve the norms themselves. |
| Date: | 2021–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15725&r= |
| By: | Yvon Pesqueux (ESD - Équipe Sécurité & défense - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM]) |
| Abstract: | Ce texte est organisé de la manière suivante : après une introduction consacrée à quelques remarques introductives (les errances conceptuelles du managérialisme, les errances idéologiques du managérialisme), il va présenter successivement : le champ des Critical Management Studies (Fondements des approches généralistes des Critical Management Studies : La critique des postulats positivistes, la centralité des rapports de pouvoir et de domination , « Anti-performativité » et « performativité critique », la non-neutralité du langage, le rejet du déterminisme, la résistance, les organisations alternatives puis une synthèse de ces éléments) ; Langage et performativité (le « tournant performatif ») (l'approche de J. L. Austin, de la performativité, l'énonciation-d'après Emile Benveniste) ; les deux grands courants des théories critiques de l'hypothèse généraliste (la Labour Process Theory, le poststructuralisme) ; un focus sur la pensée de Michel Foucault : de la généalogie de l'enfermement au souci de soi (considérations générales, l'analyse des mécanismes d'enfermement. Un éclairage nouveau sur le savoir, le pouvoir et leurs liens, L'histoire de la folie, Surveiller et punir, une nouvelle conception des rapports « pouvoir-savoir », Le souci de soi : une problématique éthique-le « retour » aux Grecs : une conception esthétique de la morale-l'éthique comme culture de soi, critiques et intérêts actuels, ouverture sur les sciences de gestion) ; un focus sur G. Deleuze & F. Guattari : Capitalisme et Schizophrénie : l'Anti-Oedipe ou l'éthique de la responsabilité avec le refoulement et la répression du désir au service de la société (La machine désirante-La nature comme processus de production et la récupération catégorisatrice de la psychanalyse, Psychanalyse et familialisme : La sainte famille-Du rôle forcené conféré à l'Oedipe dans la structuration familiale et sociale, Sauvages, barbares et civilisés-La machine territoriale, despotique et moderne comme modes de socialisation-répression, Introduction à la schizo-analyse-Du potentiel révolutionnaire du désir et de sa récupération sociale, Appendice : Bilan programme pour machines désirantes-Définition et théorie de la machine désirante) ; les approches postcoloniales : une critique des fondements culturalistes des sciences de gestion (L'hybridation comme issue critique à l'évolutionnisme culturel et social et au diffusionnisme, Le matérialisme culturel des Cultural Studies une critique « sage » et démagogique, Les auteurs de la critique postcoloniale-Edward W. Saïd-La perspective anthropologique de la « culture des aires » d'Arjun Appadurai-Homi K. Bhabha et l'hybridation-Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak-Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw-La Critical Race Theory de Tara J. Yosso, Les approches décoloniales, La critique Queer (la perspective queer, |
| Date: | 2021–04–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-03200990&r= |
| By: | Ella Hugo; David A. Savage; Benno Torgler |
| Abstract: | Corruption literature within economics has long returned ambiguous results with no concise cause or impact of corruption identified. This meta-analysis aims to find synergy within the corruption literature by assessing macroeconomic empirical studies that evaluate whether corruption ‘greases or sands’ the wheels of economic development. The meta-analysis provides an analysis of popular variables used within the corruption literature and assesses their significance when measuring corruption. |
| Keywords: | Meta-Analysis; Corruption; Macroeconomics; Publication Bias |
| JEL: | E00 D73 O1 C19 |
| Date: | 2021–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cra:wpaper:2021-19&r= |
| By: | Frédéric Marty (Université Côte d'Azur, France; GREDEG CNRS) |
| Abstract: | Les enjeux de l'encadrement concurrentiel de l'économie numérique conduisent à proposer d'ajouter, au travers du Digital Market Acts, au critère de l'efficacité des critères reliés à la contestabilité des marchés et à la loyauté des relations inter-entreprises. Sur le seul volet de l'application des règles de concurrence, la réalisation d'une balance des effets tend à s'effacer au profit de considérations d'inspiration plus ordolibérale, telle la responsabilité particulière de l'opérateur dominant. Alors que l'approche plus économique devait supplanter cette conception des règles de concurrence qui avait inspiré le modèle européen, il apparaît que la politique de concurrence revêt une nouvelle coloration ordolibérale dans le contexte de l'économie numérique. Ce document de travail se propose de retracer la dynamique historique de la politique de concurrence européenne en analysant les liens entre ordolibéralisme et approche par les effets, en insistant sur leur proximité originelle dans le néolibéralisme des années 1930 et sur leur divergence à partir du développement de la Seconde Ecole de Chicago dans les années 1950. Il discute également l'hypothèse formulée par le courant Law and Political Economy selon laquelle ces deux approches s'intègrent dans un même ensemble. Les divergences quant à la place de l'efficacité par rapport aux enjeux de répartition, de souveraineté économique et de libertés économiques et politiques constituent de puissants éléments de différenciation. |
| Keywords: | économie et droit de la concurrence, économie numérique, ordolibéralisme, efficacité, loyauté |
| JEL: | K21 L41 L42 B21 B25 B52 |
| Date: | 2021–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gre:wpaper:2021-22&r= |
| By: | Anna Valero |
| Abstract: | This paper summarises the literature that has linked education and economic growth. It begins with an overview of the key concepts in neoclassical and endogenous growth models, and discussion on how these have been tested in the data. Issues with respect to specification, the measurement of human capital and causality are discussed, together with studies that have sought to addresses these. A more recent and growing literature that explores the links between firm level human capital and productivity, including externalities, is then summarised. Beyond studies that link human capital to economic performance directly, there are numerous studies that have explore the relationships between human capital and the determinants of growth including investment, technology adoption and invention. Key findings from this literature are drawn out, together with a summary of the literature that has linked the activities of universities (key producers of both human capital and innovation) to their local economies. The paper concludes with discussion of policy implications stemming from this body of research, and promising areas for future research. |
| Keywords: | human capital, growth, innovation |
| Date: | 2021–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1764&r= |
| By: | Juan Carlos de Pablo |
| Abstract: | El 13 de mayo de 2021 nuestro compatriota y distinguido economista Guillermo Calvo cumplió 80 años. Sus primeros 80 años, que como en igual ocasión le dijeron a Armen Albert Alchian, “son los más jodidos”. Las líneas que siguen sintetizan su vida y su obra… hasta acá, porque todavía esperamos mucho de él. Se puede sacar a un ruso de Rusia, pero no se puede sacar a Rusia de un ruso. Esto se aplica a la persona y a la obra escrita por Calvo, quien a pesar de haber vivido buena parte de su vida profesional en el exterior, su forma de expresarse y tanto la elección como el tratamiento de las cuestiones que analizó, son más argentinas que el dulce de leche. |
| Date: | 2021–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cem:doctra:793&r= |
| By: | Toxvaerd, F.M.O. |
| Abstract: | This paper considers voluntary transmissive contacts between partially altruistic individuals in the presence of asymptomatic infection. Two different types of externalities from contacts are considered, infection externalities and socioeconomic externalities. When contacts are incidental, then externalities work through disease propagation. When contacts are essential, both infection and socioeconomic externalities are present. It is shown that for incidental contacts, equilibrium involves suboptimally high exposure whereas for essential contacts, equilibrium exposure is suboptimally low. An increase in altruism may thus increase or decrease disease transmission, depending on the type of contact under consideration. The analysis implies that policy to manage the epidemic should differentiate between different types of tranmissive activities. |
| Keywords: | Epidemics, altruism, infection externalities, socioeconomic externalities, disease control |
| JEL: | D83 I12 |
| Date: | 2021–02–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:2135&r= |
| By: | Roberto P. Ferreira da Cunha (Berkeley Research Group, LLC); Antoine Missemer (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Harold Hotelling's 1931 contribution is known for providing a basic principle—the Hotelling rule—to the economics of non‐renewable resources. Nearly 90 years later, empirical tests conclude the rule lacks empirical validity, requiring strong amendments to describe the long‐term, aggregate behaviour of its target object. On the basis of Hotelling's unpublished archival material, this paper revisits the place given to the Hotelling rule in non‐renewable resource economics. Our reconstruction shows that Hotelling's 1931 paper has been misinterpreted: from the outset, the Hotelling rule was not valid for mineral resources. In contrast, the consideration of two inherent geological constraints, alongside exhaustibility, offered the opportunity for an alternative basic framework, capable to generate bell‐shaped and U‐shaped equilibrium trajectories for supplies and prices, respectively. Inspired by this unknown aspect of Hotelling's work brought to light by our archival investigation, we sketch this alternative basic model, enabling non‐renewable resource economics to circumvent the empirical shortfalls of the Hotelling rule. |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03216483&r= |
| By: | Eduardo R. Scarano |
| Abstract: | Este trabajo se propone caracterizar el proceso de investigación durante la mayor parte del primer período (1913-1925) de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas que tuvo características distintivas, especialmente respecto a la manera de recolectar, sistematizar, usar datos y su función en el desarrollo investigativo. El estudio se basa en fuentes de la Facultad muy poco conocidas y utilizadas para analizar la investigación. El sistema de investigación de la Facultad constituyó un hito en la universidad argentina de ese entonces y permite comprender su evolución posterior. |
| Keywords: | investigación, datos, seminario de investigación |
| JEL: | B40 A22 |
| Date: | 2020–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aep:anales:4407&r= |