A History of Economic Theory and Method

by Robert B. Ekelund Jr., Robert F. Hebert

Economics, as intellectual discourse, is not a settled body of principles; it is a heterogeneous discipline with numerous traditions, each based on a cluster of theories. Ekelund and Hébert, experienced researchers and educators, balance continuity and consensus in the evolution of economic theory with alternative points of view about the nature, scope, and method of economic inquiry. Their creative approach gives readers a feel for the thought processes of the great minds in economics and underscores key ideas impacting contemporary thought and practice. Building on the solid foundation of previous editions, the fifth edition of A History of Economic Theory and Method presents an updated and expanded examination of the essential theoretical elements of an economy and the numerous institutions that affect market behavior, beginning with the ancient Greeks and ending with the late twentieth century. It features an in-depth interpretation of the transition from classical to neoclassical economic thought, exposes some of the dissident voices raised against classical economic orthodoxy, discusses game theory, takes a close look at the origins of traditional microeconomics, avoids highly technical or graphically complicated material, and examines the advantages and disadvantages of economics achieving a scientific status—applying mathematical and statistical techniques in economic inquiry. Chapters contain boxed material that enrich touchstone ideas or mark procedural disagreements and alternative approaches to economics. Not-for-sale instructor resource material available to college and university faculty only; contact publisher directly. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {"Cambria Math"; 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face { "Times New Roman"; 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { ""; "Centaur","serif"; "Times New Roman"; "Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault { } @page Section1 { 11.0in; 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; } div.Section1 {} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; "Calibri","sans-serif"; "Times New Roman"; "Times New Roman"; } <![endif]-->

Genres: Economics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, History

637 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Benjamín · Rating 5 out of 5]

La verdad es que me gustó mucho. Lo tuve que leer para la universidad y no sentí en ningún momento que fuera un trabajo. Vienen muchos autores, los principales de la historia, y están bien explicados.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but highly normative and dare I say, Whiggist in its economic thinking. Example? Aside from declaring that progressive taxation is ridiculous at one point, the authors have 3 pages of caveats for Keynes' importance and heap nothing but praise on Friedman. But it's an excellent timeline.

[Ruben Yube Amadeus-Amata Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

🇬🇧 A fairly faithful and accurate summary of the main economic theories.

The author focuses on the most influential ones to give them a more detailed explanation than some heterodox ones that lack relevance in dominant orthodoxy. There are many theories that I would have liked to read more in detail and relevant historical points. I also find some discrepancies with the author regarding ideological positions, which make him make some judgments that in my view are wrong.


🇪🇸 Un resumen bastante fiel y acertado de las principales teorías económicas.

El autor se enfoca en las más influyentes para darles una explicación más detalladas que algunas heterodoxas que carecen de relevancia en la ortodoxia dominante. Hay muchas teorías que me hubieran gustado leer más a detalle y puntos históricos relevantes. También encuentro algunas discrepancias con el autor con respecto a posiciones ideológicas, que lo hacen emitir algunos juicios que a mi vista están errados.

[Gbrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

cool

[Orlando Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buen libro para introducirse en este campo

[dameolga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I managed to get through a huge chunk of this book (maybe 75-80%). Ekelund and Hebert provide a good overview of the general history of economics with a focus on economic theory and method instead of historical facts and events (as the title suggests). Overall, the book was informative though definitely with a more mainstream bent than I'd prefer. I'd recommend this book for a cursory study of history of econ, but for some of the more nitty gritty stuff, I'd look elsewhere. This book would probably be useful as a jumping point for further research, especially with the extensive list of references in the Notes on Further Reading section after each chapter.

This book has definitely helped me fill in the holes in my general history of econ knowledge, so I'm glad I read it.

[M Billiodeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

read part of this book... really good book. Conservative, as most economists are and should be.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the main references for Econ 109: History of Economic Doctrines under Prof. Emmanuel De Dios (UP), Second Semester 1997-98, UP School of Economics, Diliman.

[Craig Bolton]

A History of Economic Theory and Method by Robert B. Ekelund (2007)

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry but informative, particularly if supplemented with primary source readings.

[Rodell]

ok

[Srđan Palomo Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro completo y extenso sobre las corrientes principales de la Historia del Pensamiento Económico desde su origen hasta la Actualidad.