From Economics Imperialism to Freakonomics

The Shifting Boundaries between Economics and other Social Sciences

Business & Finance, Economics, Theory of Economics, Economic History
Cover of the book From Economics Imperialism to Freakonomics by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis ISBN: 9781134099368
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 15, 2009
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
ISBN: 9781134099368
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 15, 2009
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Is or has economics ever been the imperial social science? Could or should it ever be so? These are the central concerns of this book. It involves a critical reflection on the process of how economics became the way it is, in terms of a narrow and intolerant orthodoxy, that has, nonetheless, increasingly directed its attention to appropriating the subject matter of other social sciences through the process termed "economics imperialism". In other words, the book addresses the shifting boundaries between economics and the other social sciences as seen from the confines of the dismal science, with some reflection on the responses to the economic imperialists by other disciplines.

Significantly, an old economics imperialism is identified of the "as if market" style most closely associated with Gary Becker, the public choice theory of Buchanan and Tullock and cliometrics. But this has given way to a more "revolutionary" form of economics imperialism associated with the information-theoretic economics of Akerlof and Stiglitz, and the new institutional economics of Coase, Wiliamson and North. Embracing one "new" field after another, economics imperialism reaches its most extreme version in the form of "freakonomics", the economic theory of everything on the basis of the most shallow principles.

By way of contrast and as a guiding critical thread, a thorough review is offered of the appropriate principles underpinning political economy and its relationship to social science, and how these have been and continue to be deployed. The case is made for political economy with an interdisciplinary character, able to bridge the gap between economics and other social sciences, and draw upon and interrogate the nature of contemporary capitalism.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Is or has economics ever been the imperial social science? Could or should it ever be so? These are the central concerns of this book. It involves a critical reflection on the process of how economics became the way it is, in terms of a narrow and intolerant orthodoxy, that has, nonetheless, increasingly directed its attention to appropriating the subject matter of other social sciences through the process termed "economics imperialism". In other words, the book addresses the shifting boundaries between economics and the other social sciences as seen from the confines of the dismal science, with some reflection on the responses to the economic imperialists by other disciplines.

Significantly, an old economics imperialism is identified of the "as if market" style most closely associated with Gary Becker, the public choice theory of Buchanan and Tullock and cliometrics. But this has given way to a more "revolutionary" form of economics imperialism associated with the information-theoretic economics of Akerlof and Stiglitz, and the new institutional economics of Coase, Wiliamson and North. Embracing one "new" field after another, economics imperialism reaches its most extreme version in the form of "freakonomics", the economic theory of everything on the basis of the most shallow principles.

By way of contrast and as a guiding critical thread, a thorough review is offered of the appropriate principles underpinning political economy and its relationship to social science, and how these have been and continue to be deployed. The case is made for political economy with an interdisciplinary character, able to bridge the gap between economics and other social sciences, and draw upon and interrogate the nature of contemporary capitalism.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Theological Ethics and Moral Value Phenomena by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book The Bible and Literature: The Basics by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Colour And Colour Theories by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Nietzsche and the Origin of Virtue by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Learning Conversations in Museums by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book The Psychology of Politics by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Exploring Translation Theories by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Economic Geography by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Thought and Knowledge by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Children and Exercise XXVII by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Spaces of Global Cultures by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Covering the Courts by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book 'Critical Support' for Sport by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book A Surrealist Stratigraphy of Dorothea Tanning’s Chasm by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
Cover of the book Memory and Memorials by Ben Fine, Dimitris Milonakis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy