A History of Economic Theory and Method

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

Economics studies human behavior within the context of markets. Contemporary economic theory has developed from the contributions of myriad thinkers over its history. Ekelund and Hébert catalog the ideas of these pioneers and extract the lessons within the theories, assessing their importance and subsequent impact. They present an in-depth survey of the complete range of mainstream economic ideas from ancient times to the present, illustrating the broad scope and remarkable continuity of economic analysis throughout the ages. Economic theories have a life of their own; the study of their development is meaningful and fruitful for gaining a better understanding of contemporary economics. Outstanding features: 1) explores the nature, scope, and method of economic inquiry creatively; 2) presents abstract theory in a comprehensible historical context; 3) uncovers the thought processes of the great minds in economics; 4) emphasizes continuity and consensus in the evolution of mainstream economic theory, yet does not eschew alternative points of view; 5) explores the past for lessons that might be learned or insight gained in the present; 6) provides a feel for the kinds of ideas that have staying power; and 7) underscores key ideas impacting contemporary thought and practice.

Genres: Economics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, History

602 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.