The Elgar Companion to Radical Political Economy


Book Description

'These valuable contributions will be very useful to students and nonspecialists wanting a clear introduction to specific topics or a convenient volume to browse to get a feel for a broader area of study. A welcome addition to any library.' – M. Perelman, Choice '. . . an excellent short encyclopedia of radical political economies. . . Even experienced scholars could read a number of the entries to refresh themselves or to introduce themselves to new areas of inquiry. Every university and college library should have a copy.' – William M. Dugger, Southern Economic Journal 'Elgar's companions are a joy to read from cover-to-cover. . . The volume is indexed and belongs in every library.' – William M. Dugger, Journal of Economic Issues '. . . this is a worthwhile volume deserving a browse by anyone with radical pretensions.' – Keith Cowling, The Economic Journal This major reference book has been designed to provide a comprehensive coverage of radical political economy. International in scope, The Elgar Companion to Radical Political Economy includes contributions from a very wide range of specialists who discuss topics, ideas and theories in the field. Radical political economy is a term used to encompass a range of different schools of thought. These include post Keynesian, Kaleckian, Marxian, Institutionalist, Sraffian and other approaches to economics which share the common theme of production, rather than the exchange focus of neoclassical and Austrian economics. Their concern with the generation and use of the surplus leads them to an interest in dynamics, income distribution, growth and development, and capital accumulation. With over 100 entries, the companion provides detailed information on a wide range of aspects of radical political economy as well as some important insights into its theoretical underpinning. A special feature of the book is its emphasis upon explaining the positive elements in radical political economy. As the first book of its kind devoted to radical political economy, the companion will be an essential reference source for scholars and students with an interest in the development of economic ideas.




The Elgar Companion to Marxist Economics


Book Description

This Companion takes stock of the trajectory, achievements, shortcomings and prospects of Marxist political economy. It reflects the contributors' shared commitment to bringing the methods, theories and concepts of Marx himself to bear across a wide range of topics and perspectives, and it provides a testimony to the continuing purpose and vitality of Marxist political economy. As a whole, this volume analyzes Marxist political economy in three areas: the critique of mainstream economics in all of its versions; the critical presence of Marxist political economy within, and its influence upon, each of the social science disciplines; and, cutting across these, the analysis of specific topics that straddle disciplinary boundaries. Some of the contributions offer an exposition of basic concepts, accessible to the general reader, laying out Marx's own contribution, its significance, and subsequent positions and debates with and within Marxist political economy. The authors offer assessments of historical developments to and within capitalism, and of its current character and prospects. Other chapters adopt a mirror-image approach of pinpointing the conditions of contemporary capitalism as a way of interrogating the continuing salience of Marxist analysis. This volume will inform and inspire a new generation of students and scholars to become familiar with Marxist political economy from an enlightened and unprejudiced position, and to use their knowledge as both a resource and gateway to future study.




The Elgar Companion to Alfred Marshall


Book Description

In light of the recent and ongoing surge of interest in Alfred Marshall's work, this new and original reference volume fills a gap in the literature through a detailed examination of his thought and of his contributions to economics and social science. The Companion places Alfred Marshall's ideas in their historical context, highlighting the many streams of social research originating from them. The contributors form a remarkable cast of leading experts, covering a spectrum of Marshallian themes and issues, including: - his life and work - background and influences - scope and methodology of economics - economic analysis - including distribution theory, industrial economics and money - social and political issues - relations with his contemporaries - the Marshallian tradition - relevance to contemporary economics. This comprehensive and multidisciplinary Companion illustrates the relevance of Marshall to present-day economic reality and as such will prove an invaluable reference tool for general economists and a wide ranging audience: historians of economic thought; economic, political and cultural historians; industrial, regional and development economists; economists interested in institutional, cognitive and evolutionary economics.













Capitalism on Trial


Book Description

This volume presents a collection of essays honoring Professor Thomas E. Weisskopf, one of the most prominent contributors to the field of radical economics. Beginning his academic career at Harvard before moving to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Professor Weisskopf has spent the past forty years exploring through highly innovative and rigorous research the questions of economic equality, social justice and environmental responsibility. The chapters in this book reflect the main subjects of Professor WeisskopfÕs work and seek to foster continued innovation in these research areas. The diverse contributions to this volume explore the impressive range of Professor WeisskopfÕs research themes. These include the economics of developing countries, US imperialism, Marxian crisis theory, contemporary economic history and institutional development, affirmative action policies, and the potential of socialism as an alternative to capitalism for developing non-exploitative societies. In addition to 26 chapters by leading economists, this book also includes a chapter by Professor Weisskopf himself, in which he reflects on his own career in economics as well as the state of the U.S. and global economies. The volume also includes a full bibliography listing Professor WeisskopfÕs publications. Students, professors and researchers working in any branch of economics will find much of interest in this set of wide-ranging studies building from the themes advanced by Thomas Weisskopf.







The Elgar Companion to Antonio Gramsci


Book Description

Affirming Antonio Gramsci’s continuing influence, this adroitly cultivated Companion offers a comprehensive overview of Gramsci’s contributions to the interdisciplinary fields of critical social science, social and political thought, economics and emancipatory politics. Within the tradition of historical materialism, it explores the continuing impact of Gramscian perspectives in the present day.