Critical Social Inquiry 0234 - History of Econ. Thought

Economic ideas and the policies that are informed by these ideas exert a major influence on many aspects of our lives. But where do economic ideas come from? This course explores the ideas of a selection of influential economists over the centuries and the social forces that shaped their thinking. A central goal of the course is to track the ways in which economic thought has developed historically both as a response to inadequacies of previous theory and as a reflection of new economic problems emerging as economies and societies evolve over time. A frequently recurring theme in the course is the question of whether capitalism is a social system that conduces toward social harmony or conflict. Other persistent themes include debates over the inherent stability or instability of capitalism, the reasons for income inequality and poverty, and the economic analysis of the individual, choice, and consumption. Major thinkers covered include Adam Smith, Thomas Robert Malthus, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, the early Marginalists, Thorstein Veblen, John Maynard Keynes and contemporary heterodox thinkers.

Independent Work Writing and Research