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on History and Philosophy of Economics |
| By: | Drakopoulos, Stavros A. |
| Abstract: | With a career spanning over many decades, Tony Lawson has made important contributions ranging from the philosophy of social sciences, history economic thought, methodology of economics, political economy, monetary theory, to the theory of ethics. His work concerning ontology has had a remarkable impact on economic methodologists in promoting the discussion of social ontology. Similarly, his articulation of critical realism has strengthened the criticism of heterodox economists against the economics orthodoxy regarding its lack of realism. Although not identified with a specific heterodox strand, it can be argued that Lawson’s work has promoted the development and the appeal of heterodox economics in many ways. A common feature of most heterodox economics relates to the criticism of mathematical formalism which is a core principle of orthodox economic theory. Another common characteristic is the heterodox emphasis on the crucial role of economic methodology for the discipline. Further, most heterodox economists call for a more realistic approach to the study of economic phenomena. This paper will discuss the facets of Lawson’s work which have exerted considerable influence on above- mentioned common attributes of heterodox economics. In particular, it will focus on: A. the argumentation countering the negative stance of mainstream economics towards economic methodology and the support of its usefulness as a subject of study. B. the critique of mainstream economic methodology and especially its use of mathematics. C. the analysis of the nature of heterodox economics. Lawson’s discourses on these themes have contributed towards a credible and coherent alternative to mainstream economics. |
| Keywords: | Economic Methodology; Heterodox Economics; Critique of Mainstream Economics; Tony Lawson |
| JEL: | B20 B40 B50 |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:123406 |
| By: | Sergio Cesaratto |
| Abstract: | Models, Methods, and Morality discusses moral values in the field of ancient economic history, where neoclassical hegemony in the form of the New Institutional Economics has progressively gained ground. The book mainly criticises mainstream economics for focusing on quantitative growth without much regard to its social consequences. The spirit of this review is a constructive encouragement to build an alternative approach to economic history possibly based on the classical economists’ surplus approach, taking also advantage of the familiarity that scholars of ancient societies have with the concept of economic surplus. The risk is that without a resolute criticism of mainstream economics and the adoption of an alternative point of view, mainstream economics might paternalistically reabsorb the legitimate moral criticism that pervades many of the contributions to the volume. Being based on a simple heuristic of the economic sources of the élites’ wealth and not possessing a pre-packaged view of human behaviour, surplus theory may usefully be at the core of a socially sensitive, economic history agenda. |
| Keywords: | Economic history, Ancient economies, Surplus approach, New Institutional Economics, Moral economy Jel Classification: B12, B51, N01 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:usi:wpaper:923 |
| By: | Bellanca, Nicolo' |
| Abstract: | This note draws inspiration from Riccardo Bellofiore’s recent monograph dedicated to Claudio Napoleoni. It examines Napoleoni’s reflections on key issues within Marxist theory, including the theory of value, alienation and exploitation, rent within the Italian economy, the status of economic science, and the pathways to human emancipation. The interpretative framework proposed by Bellofiore is also analyzed, along with his attempt to reconstruct Marx’s approach. |
| Keywords: | Marxist theory of value; Claudio Napoleoni; Productive labour; Economic alienation |
| JEL: | B31 B41 B51 O11 P10 |
| Date: | 2025–01–27 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:123472 |