Manual of Political Economy

Notwithstanding our firm conviction that to really get to know an author, one needs to read him or her in the original, we nevertheless consider that this new English-language translation of Vilfredo Pareto's Manuale-Manuel (the earlier, highly criticized one, dating back to 1971) represents an important contribution to Anglo-Saxon Pareto studies. The translation, overseen by John Chipman with the assistance of Michael McLure, is completed by a valuable translation of the commentaries by Aldo Montesano, Alberto Zanni, and Luigino Bruni contained in the Italian edition published in 2006. * Fiorenzo Mornati, Journal of the History of Economic Thought *
The editors of this variorum edition of the Manual are famed scholars in Pareto's work and have put together an amazing volume, which from now on deservedly becomes the main reference in future studies on Pareto's contribution to general equilibrium theory The international scientific community of economists is therefore greatly indebted to all five editors for their exceptional effort in translating, explaining, commenting and providing historical and rational context to this much talked about but scarcely read book. Lastly, this long overdue variorum edition of the Manual will definitely allow a much better understanding of both Pareto's analytical contribution and his role in the development of the economic science. * Rogério Arthmar, History of Economic Ideas *
The reading of this critical edition of the Manual of Political Economy will at last enable English-speaking readers to fully appreciate a work which is more frequently cited than well known. The above-mentioned references do justice neither to the originality of Pareto's work, nor to the editors' comments, which cover all the main topics dealt with by the author; we only hope they will encourage readers' interest in this fundamental work of modern economic theory. * Paolo Scapparone, The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought *
Today's economists would probably quickly realize that there is more, much more to Pareto than a theory of rational choice leading through a few equations to an ordinalist optimum. In particular, and among many of their most cherished arguments, they would realize that even if all markets were perfectly competitive and there was no problem of incomplete markets, Pareto would draw their attention to the fact that there is still no realistic conception of any price formation process which will produce those prices that promise all the social benefits encapsulated in the general equilibrium model... And for allowing the profession to access this important text in an optimal way, the editors of this splendid volume should be warmly commended. * Pascal Bridel, History of Political Economy *
The reading of this critical edition of the Manual of Political Economy will at last enable English-speaking readers to fully appreciate a work which is more frequently cited than well known. The above-mentioned references do justice neither to the originality of Pareto's work, nor to the editors' comments, which cover all the main topics dealt with by the author; we only hope they will encourage readers' interest in this fundamental work of modern economic theory.