Rediscovering Political Economy
Bradley C S Watson editor Joseph Postell editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Lexington Books
Published:5th Aug '11
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The recent economic crisis in the United States has highlighted a crisis of understanding. In this volume, Bradley C. S. Watson and Joseph Postell bring together some of America's most eminent thinkers on political economy—an increasingly overlooked field wherein political ideas and economic theories mutually inform each other. Only through a restoration of political economy can we reconnect economics to the human good. Economics as a discipline deals with the production and distribution of goods and services. Yet the study of economics can-indeed must—be employed in our striving for the best possible political order and way of life. Economic thinkers and political actors need once again to consider how the Constitution and basic principles of our government might give direction and discipline to our thinking about economic theories, and to the economic policies we choose to implement. The contributors are experts in economic history, and the history of economic ideas. They address basic themes of political economy, theoretical and practical: from the relationship between natural law and economics, to how our Founding Fathers approached economics, to questions of banking and monetary policy. Their insights will serve as trusty guides to future generations, as well as to our own.
Rediscovering Political Economy provides a useful bridge for 21th Century trained neoclassical economists and their students to the philosophical, religious, and political underpinnings of economic men-men who are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights among which are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- Richard V. Burkhauser, Sarah Gibson Blanding Professor of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University
Rediscovering Political Economy is an excellent and diverse collection of ten essays on political economy. Tom West's essay on the economic thought of the Founders and Larry Schweikart's history of banking have particular insight into the interplay between liberty and politics. I recommend this book. -- Burt Folsom, Hillsdale College, and author of FDR Goes to War
Rediscovering Political Economy collects papers that not only address the moral/ethical foundations of economic society, but a rethinking of the enterprise of economics and political economy. Economics for most of the 20th century was practiced as a purely technical science that ignored not only its philosophical roots but also the historical details associated with the political, legal, and social institutions within which economic activity takes place. The papers, and the references they provide, reflect the efforts of many scholars to reconnect economics and political economy to the "worldly philosophy" and the historical reality of economic and political life. Rediscovering Political Economy is a welcomed addition to the literature in philosophy, politics, and economics. -- Peter Boettke, George Mason University
The collection of essays is best viewed as a road toward the rediscovery of political economy. One travels the road and gains some understanding of the ideas that will belly up to the negotiating table when it comes time to put the national Humpty-Dumpty back together again....Rediscovering Political Economy is a useful book for understanding the polity’s ongoing demise as well as its prospects for eventual rebirth. * Acton Institute PowerBlog *
The collection of essays is best viewed as a road toward the rediscovery of political economy... Rediscovering Political Economy is a useful book for understanding the polity’s ongoing demise as well as its prospects for eventual rebirth. * Journal of Markets & Morality *
ISBN: 9780739166604
Dimensions: 231mm x 155mm x 20mm
Weight: 417g
272 pages