From Marx to Markets

Hardback

From Marx to Markets

An Intellectual Odyssey

9781035350094 Edward Elgar Publishing
Geoffrey M. Hodgson, Emeritus Professor, Loughborough University London, UK
Publication Date: March 2025 ISBN: 978 1 03535 009 4 Extent: c 400 pp
In this revealing and eminently readable book, Geoffrey M. Hodgson takes readers on an intellectual odyssey through his distinguished career and his work as one of the leading institutional and evolutionary economists. Depicting his life throughout the Cold War, grappling with the military and economic rivalry of two different systems, to becoming an economist in the 1970s, and his later venture into institutional and evolutionary economics.

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In this revealing and eminently readable book, Geoffrey M. Hodgson takes readers on an intellectual odyssey through his distinguished career and his work as one of the leading institutional and evolutionary economists. Depicting his life throughout the Cold War, grappling with the military and economic rivalry of two different systems and the threat of nuclear war, to becoming an economist in the 1970s, and his ventures into institutional and evolutionary economics.

Examining the evolution of Hodgson’s thinking and citing the events and experiences that helped to transform his vision, chapters cover the impact of the Cold War and subsequent events on Hodgson''s thinking. He summarizes his main written contributions, with suggestions for the reform of economics and the development of its theoretical foundations. The book also calls for the development of better theories and policies in economics, helping to yield more effective outcomes to enhance human wellbeing and build a better and fairer world.

Showcasing some of the problems and potentialities of the discipline, From Marx to Markets is a useful resource for students considering, or having embarked on, the study of economics. It is also an essential read for academics in the social sciences and law.
Critical Acclaim
‘Fascinating, insightful, often provocative and elegantly written throughout – this is an intellectual odyssey well worth joining.’
– Dennis Tourish, University of Sussex, UK

‘This fascinating and important book reveals how Geoff Hodgson evolved from an activist on the British political left to a global leader in institutional and evolutionary economics, and how his thinking changed during his long career. It will not only satisfy the curiosity of established academics, especially those who have struggled to keep up with his prodigious output, it is also essential reading for early-career economists, who will benefit from its historical perspectives, and how economics should be practised to help create a better world.’
– Peter Earl, University of Queensland, Australia

‘Geoffrey Hodgson is one of the most prominent institutional economists of our time. His rich and insightful contributions to economics are numerous. In this nicely written autobiography, we are introduced to his fascinating journey from a Marxist thinker to a founder of legal institutionalism. His enduring concern has always been the betterment of human life through the knowledge of economics and social sciences.’
– Mehrdad Vahabi, University of Paris 13 North, France

‘This book beautifully, honestly and without sentimentality blends a judicious exposition of steps personal with the unfolding and shared stories of steps intellectual, public and professional. This book is a gateway to Hodgson’s research over 50 years, including for people who are not economists by training.’
– Anthony Kasozi, Quilibria Consulting, UK

‘This is a profound and admirable book that had a lasting impression on me. Among other things, it is an intriguing account of the importance of ideas and their dissemination.’
– Juha-Antti Lamberg, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
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