Suchergebnisse

This book discusses Samuel Pufendorf and his contributions to the development of the European Enlightenment and the emergence of economics as a social science. Born in 1632 in Saxony, Pufendorf wrote widely on natural law, ethics, jurisprudence, and political economy and was one of the most important figures in early-modern political thought. Although his work fits within the intellectual framework of natural jurisprudence, there is an argument to be made that his ideas promoted the development of economics as a distinct discipline within the social sciences. Written by participants in the 34th Heilbronn Symposion in Economics and the Social Sciences, the contributions to this volume give an overview of Pufendorf's influence on other authors of the Enlightenment, such as Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, as well as addressing the theoretical implications of his extensive writings. Further chapters place a special focus on Pufendorf's discussion of economic matters, such as property rights theory, price theory, taxation, and preferences and decision-making. The book concludes with analyzing Pufendorf's influence on Adam Smith, his anticipations of elements of modern economic theory, and his impact on the history of economic thought. Providing a fresh look at one of the foundational scholars of social science, this volume will be of interest to researchers and students of the history of economic thought, political economy, economic history, and political philosophy.

This book discusses the work of German economists Gustav von Schmoller and Adolph Wagner, its influence on the tradition of German and Austrian economic and social thought, and its implications for the discipline today. Schmoller and Wagner integrated philosophical, historical, sociological and political approaches into the science of economics, focusing specifically on economic development. Schmoller, who is considered the head of the second generation of the German Historical School, argued that general propositions of economic theory had to be based on historical-empirical studies. In contrast, Wagner was a systematologist who preferred to start his investigations into economic problems from abstract principles. Schmoller and Wagner share, however, a common focus on institutions and the role of the state; Wagner favored state policy initiatives, while Schmoller was concerned with the risks of state policy failure. One hundred years after their deaths, the contributions to this book look into their approach, trace the influence of their ideas, and explore the relevance of their thought in a global economy. This book will be useful for students and scholars interested in socio-economics, the history of economic thought, economic policy, and political science.

Attempts to throw some light on the sensible use of mathematics in economic theory. Argues that mathematics is a valuable and useful tool which economists should and must apply as long as its use is economically sensible. The dangers of going beyond the "frontier" of what is economically sensible occur when economists depart from the actual (empirical) subject matter because of the applied mathematical instruments, when the underlying value judgements are not, or only insufficiently, taken into consideration, when the recording and measurement of empirical magnitudes as an economic problem is underestimated or is even subordinate under the requirements of the formal language, and when the process of mathematization is considered as a substitute for the process of Verstehen. Concludes that although mathematical reasoning is one way of logical deduction, which secures a style of logical consistency in reasoning, it is a fallacy to believe that mathematical reasoning alone can secure logical, consistent reasoning. Mathematization for the sake of mathematization is useless.

Ökonomie und Kirche – das ist kein Widerspruch. Klöster häuften früher durch geschicktes Handeln ein gewaltiges Vermögen an. Heute finden religiöse Werte durch den Corporate-Governance-Kodex Eingang in die Geschäftswelt und christliche Parteien prägen die Wirtschaftspolitik. Auf das Spannungsfeld zwischen Staat, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft gehen Päpste durch Sozialenzykliken seit dem 19. Jahrhundert ein: Leo XIII. forderte 1891 Lohngerechtigkeit sowie Arbeitnehmerrechte und gab damit der Sozialpolitik in Europa Aufwind. Weitere Sozialenzykliken folgten, wenn das freie Spiel der Marktkräfte zu sozialen Problemen führte. 2009 verwies Benedikt XVI. nach der Finanzkrise darauf, dass Globalisierung von einer "Kultur der Liebe" beseelt sein müsse. Damit brachte er die Globalisierung mit Verteilungsgerechtigkeit und Gemeinwohl in Zusammenhang. Auf die Sozialenzykliken der Päpste gehen die Autoren im Detail ein: Sie beleuchten den geschichtlichen Kontext ebenso wie deren Auswirkungen auf Wirtschaft und Politik. So skizzieren sie einen dritten Weg der Päpste – ein alternatives Wirtschaftskonzept zwischen Kapitalismus und Kommunismus.