Capitalism, Socialism and Post-Keynesianism

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Capitalism, Socialism and Post-Keynesianism

Selected Essays of G.C. Harcourt

9781858980799 Edward Elgar Publishing
The late G.C. Harcourt, formerly University of New South Wales, Australia
Publication Date: March 1995 ISBN: 978 1 85898 079 9 Extent: 264 pp
Capitalism, Socialism and Post-Keynesianism begins with three essays on policy issues: the case for a middle way between command economies and free market economies; the broad principles of macroeconomic policy for Australia in the 1990s; and an integrated set of ‘modest proposals’ to get the world economy on the path to prosperity. All approaches used in these essays are associated with the broad church of post-Keynesianism and the belief that economics should produce a more just and equitable society. Later essays analyse theoretical topics in an historical context. The remaining papers are a selection of intellectual biographies, and general essays which range from the author’s views on the relationship between mathematics and economics to what Adam Smith really did say.

As this volume demonstrates, Dr Harcourt is an all-rounder, a political economist who has written on applied issues, theory, policy, intellectual biography and analytical histories of economic theory. Capitalism, Socialism and Post-Keynesianism offers economists at all levels a sense of perspective on policy, theory and the historical development of their discipline, as well as an appreciation of its human face.

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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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G.C. Harcourt has been an instrumental figure in the analysis, synthesis and teaching of economic theory. Erudite, authoritative and insightful, Dr Harcourt’s writings have included analysis of contemporary economic theory, synthesis of current debates, intellectual biography and masterly discussion of economic and allied social policies.

Capitalism, Socialism and Post-Keynesianism begins with three essays on policy issues: the case for a middle way between command economies and free market economies; the broad principles of macroeconomic policy for Australia in the 1990s; and an integrated set of ‘modest proposals’ to get the world economy on the path to prosperity. All approaches used in these essays are associated with the broad church of post-Keynesianism and the belief that economics should produce a more just and equitable society. Later essays analyse theoretical topics in an historical context. The remaining papers are a selection of intellectual biographies, and general essays which range from the author’s views on the relationship between mathematics and economics to what Adam Smith really did say.

As this volume demonstrates, Dr Harcourt is an all-rounder, a political economist who has written on applied issues, theory, policy, intellectual biography and analytical histories of economic theory. Capitalism, Socialism and Post-Keynesianism offers economists at all levels a sense of perspective on policy, theory and the historical development of their discipline, as well as an appreciation of its human face.
Critical Acclaim
‘. . . its essays deepen our understanding of the ideas of one of the greatest historians of economic thought of our era. Harcourt has become heterodox theory’s genealogist; analytical, generous of spirit, and good-humored, he has seemingly single-handedly maintained lines of communication and dialogue among heterodox economists. This volume is especially valuable because Harcourt’s own ideas about heterodox theory come through rather more clearly than in past writings. . . . heterodox economists seeking to dispel rumors of the demise of Keynes and Marx in economic discourse would do well to consult this.’
– Gary Dymski, Review of Radical Political Economics

‘The career of Geoffrey C. Harcourt has many facets not only because he is indefatigable, friendly and unusually courteous. . . but because he has become of that rare breed, a teacher’s teacher.’
– From the preface by Mark Perlman

‘This is an extremely interesting and useful volume of essays. They have been carefully selected to provide a coherent volume which makes it a pleasure to read. . . . Students of post-Keynesian economics will come across in these essays a wealth of knowledge both on a number of issues relating to this economics, and to the “masters” who have shaped it. . . . I strongly and thoroughly recommend these essays, not just to like-minded economists, but to others as well. They will find in this volume a vast amount of economics, written by someone who loves his subject, and the people it is designed to serve by making their world a better one to live in.’
– Philip Arestis, History of Economic Thought

‘This is a fine collection of essays by a scholar who brings a rare warmth and personal insight into some very difficult corners of our subject. The reader here learns much about economics as a human science of the real world. But he or she does so with the added enjoyment of being allowed into the inner circle of the personalities who contributed so much to the making of an economics that really matters.’
– Allen Oakley, History of Economics Review

‘It is a very welcome addition to the economics literature by a scholar who has devoted a lifetime to pursuing and promoting economics as a human and potentially humane science. This is a fine collection of essays by a scholar who brings a rare warmth and personal insight into some very difficult corners of our subject. The reader here learns much about economics as a human science of the real world. But he or she does so with the added enjoyment of being allowed into the inner circle of the personalities who contributed so much to the making of an economics that really matters.’
– J.W. Nevile, History of Economics Review
Contents
Contents: Introduction Part I: Policy Part II: Theory From an Historical Perspective Part III: Intellectual Biographies Part IV: General Essays

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