Suchergebnisse

The economic theories of the English economist and social scientist J.A. Hobson (1858-1940) were pioneering for their time. This book critically analyses his theories and shows that many of them have contemporary relevance. Hobson is best known by today's economists for his underconsumption theory, which was recognised by Keynes as an important forerunner of The General Theory. Hobson's underconsumption theory is modelled and compared with the economic growth theories of Harrod and Domar. Also included are accounts of Hobson's theories in the areas of welfare economics, income distribution and prices, money and credit, and international economics. The book also outlines Hobson's theory of imperialism, which was addressed to an audience far wider than that of economists, and gained him international fame.

1. Introduction / Michael Freeden -- 2. Hobson, Ruskin and Cobdenx / H.C.G. Matthew -- 3. Variations on a famous theme : Hobson, international trade and imperialism, 1902-1938 / P.J. Cain -- 4. Hobson's evolving conceptions of human nature / Michael Freeden -- 5. The conservative aspect of Hobson's new liberalism / John Allett -- 6. Hobson and Keynes as economic heretics / Peter Clarke -- 7. J.A. Hobson as a macroeconomic theorist / Roger E. Backhouse -- 8. Rewriting the Confessions : Hobson and the Extension movement / Alon Kadish -- 9. Hobson and internationalism / Bernard Porter.

O capitalismo se consolidou plenamente e alcançou uma difusão espacial significativa no último quarto do século XIX, criando condições para a democracia liberal-burguesa e para o imperialismo. A partilha da África em 1885, a série de guerras imperialistas que eclodiram no Caribe – entre EUA e Espanha –, na África do Sul – entre bôeres e ingleses – e na China – envolvendo também os ingleses – entre 1898 e 1901 delinearam os termos do problema teórico e político a ser enfrentado, estimulando uma reflexão mais cuidadosa e fundamentada sobre imperialismo. A primeira tentativa séria foi levada a termo pelo inglês John Hobson, em 1902, com seu trabalho Imperialismo: um estudo. Este artigo tem por objetivo, por meio de uma pesquisa do cenário internacional da época e da própria obra do autor, analisar o pensamento pioneiro de Hobson acerca do imperialismo.

Abstract. John A. Hobson was a self‐styled economic heretic who developed and original and remarkably comprehensive system of economic and social thought. This system is based on certain distinctively Hobsonian concepts and theories. Hobson's economic heresies were based on his theory of distribution in which he rejected orthodox marginal productivity theory and developed a theory of economic surplus the distribution of which is determined by economic power. This underlay his theory of under‐consumption which in turn was used to explain and analyze economic and social issues such as unemployment, the business cycle, the labor movement, imperialism and taxation. Hobson was also critical of the whole methodology of economic science on the grounds that it abstracted from human welfare in its widest sense. He argued that proper values should be introduced into the study of economic activity so that it could assist in the attainment of the best conditions of human life, both social and individual.