In this interactive collection of essays, many of the leading proponents of analytical political economy examine major macroeconomic issues through the integration of mathematical analysis and non-neoclassical economic theory. The topics covered include the macroeconomics of the labor market, open economy issues, economic growth, and macroeconomic policy. The chapter-comment-reply format of the book creates a genuine dialogue on each theme, and evokes a sense of unfolding debate which draws the reader into the discussion.
Offering a unique picture of recent developments in a range of non-conventional theoretical approaches in economics, this book introduces readers to the study of Analytical Political Economy and the changes within the subject. Includes a wide range of topics and theoretical approaches that are critically and thoroughly reviewed Contributions within the book are written according to the highest standards of rigor and clarity that characterize academic work Provides comprehensive and well-organized surveys of cutting-edge empirical and theoretical work covering an exceptionally wide range of areas and fields Topics include macroeconomic theories of growth and distribution; agent-based and stock-flow consistent models; financialization and Marxian price and value theory Investigates exploitation theory; trade theory; the role of expectations and ‘animal spirits’ on macroeconomic performance as well as empirical research in Marxian economics
Offering a unique picture of recent developments in a range of non-conventional theoretical approaches in economics, this book introduces readers to the study of Analytical Political Economy and the changes within the subject. Includes a wide range of topics and theoretical approaches that are critically and thoroughly reviewed Contributions within the book are written according to the highest standards of rigor and clarity that characterize academic work Provides comprehensive and well-organized surveys of cutting-edge empirical and theoretical work covering an exceptionally wide range of areas and fields Topics include macroeconomic theories of growth and distribution; agent-based and stock-flow consistent models; financialization and Marxian price and value theory Investigates exploitation theory; trade theory; the role of expectations and ‘animal spirits’ on macroeconomic performance as well as empirical research in Marxian economics
The enduring debate on institutional pillars of contemporary political economies has gathered a noticeable momentum in terms of the change, path-dependence, and varieties of capitalism. By taking a methodological standpoint claiming that ’the current structure and the future of contemporary societies can only be understood by using an evolutionary and macro institutional approach that would explain the trajectories of social structures from a systemic perspective’, this book first aims at formulating a novel analytical framework thus, Institutional System Analysis in Political Economy. This framework comprises, inter alia, a model of path-dependent changes, and then attempts to apply it to the case of the Ottoman-Turkish social system. In sum, the book develops an ’interaction-theoretic and evolutionarily-structured approach’ with an aim to better capture the path-dependence and change of political, economic, and cultural action in terms of their intersectional dynamics.
During the 1980s many developing countries undertook programs of far-reaching economic policy reform. Some have been very successful, some less so, and some have failed completely. In examining these episodes economists have focused upon the adequacy of economic policy changes but have paid little attention to their political impact. Likewise, political scientists have centered their attentions on the political reactions to reform while neglecting the economic aspects. These dissonant analyses produced a dilemma: what was good politics did not seem to be good economics and what was good economics did not seem to be good politics. From this dilemma a research project on the Political Economy of Policy Reform in Developing Countries emerged, led by Robert Bates and Anne Krueger. This volume is an analysis of the work carried out by eight research teams into policy reform in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Korea, Turkey and Zambia. The teams each consisted of an economist and a political scientist who jointly analyzed the economic and political ingredients of their country's reform efforts. This important work will be valuable reading for scholars and policy-makers in the fields of development, international, and agricultural economics. These studies will be of compelling interest to political scientists as well, particularly those in the fields of comparative politics and development studies.
Most of economics takes politics for granted. Through some (often implausible) assumptions, it seeks to explain away political structures by characterizing them as stable and predictable or as inconsequential in understanding what goes on in an economy. Such attempts are misguided, and this book shows how governments and political institutions are composed of people who respond to incentives and whose behavior and choices can be studied through the lens of economics. This book aims to bridge the gap between economics and politics, and in doing so hopes to instill in the reader a deeper appreciation for social scientific thinking. Opening with a refresher on microeconomics and an introduction to the toolkit of political economy, it ensures that the necessary building blocks are in place before building up from the level of the individual and the firm to show how a political–economic equilibrium can be achieved. The text explores how to separate primitives—the external parts of a model that we cannot affect—from outcomes—the internal parts of a model that we can. Moreover, it demonstrates that economic and political issues alike can be studied within the same general framework of analysis. Political Economy and Policy Analysis offers readers the chance to gain a more sophisticated understanding of political processes, economic processes, and the interplay among them. Adopting an applied microeconomics approach, it will be ideal for upper-level undergraduate or postgraduate courses on political economy, public choice, or policy analysis. A complementary workbook with exercises and solutions that accompanies Political Economy and Policy Analysis is available for download under the eResources tab at: https://www.routledge.com/Political-Economy-and-Policy-Analysis/Merlo/p/book/9781138591783.
This volume includes 11 chapters based on papers presented at the 9th International Conference of Political Economy (ICOPEC 2018) that was co-organised by the Greek Association for Political Economy, the Department of Social Policy of Panteion University, and the Faculty of Economics of Marmara University. Chapters adopt a political economy approach to discuss and analyse crucial issues linked to social and economic inequalities, poverty and deprivation as well as to labour market changes. These are issues which are greatly affected by the recent economic crisis and by the neoliberal policies for fiscal discipline, reduce of public spending and labour market deregulation that were implemented to most countries, and particularly to those where the consequences of the crisis were more severe.
Post-Keynesian and heterodox economics challenge the mainstream economics theories that dominate the teaching at universities and government economic policies. And it was these latter theories that helped to cause the great depression the United States and the rest of the world is in. However, most economists and the top 1% do not want mainstream theories challenged—for to do so would mean questioning why and how the 1% got where they are. Therefore, numerous efforts have been and are being made to discredit if not suppress Post-Keynesian and heterodox economics. These efforts have had some success; this book is a response to them. This book makes it clear that Post Keynesian/heterodox economics is, in spite of internal problems, a viable and important approach to economics and that it should resist the attempts of the critics to bury it. The reader will also find arguments that directly engage the critics and suggest that their views/criticisms are vacuous and wrong. As such, this will appeal to all who are interested in economic theory, economic history and who believe in challenging the orthodoxy.
This handbook constitutes a specialist single compendium that analyses African political economy in its theoretical, historical and policy dimensions. It emphasizes the uniqueness of African political economy within a global capitalist system that is ever changing and complex. Chapters in the book discuss how domestic and international political economic forces have shaped and continue to shape development outcomes on the continent. Contributors also provoke new thinking on theories and policies to better position the continent’s economy to be a critical global force. The uniqueness of the handbook lies in linking theory and praxis with the past, future, and various dimensions of the political economy of Africa.
This well-documented book will prove to be the essential guide for researchers and graduate students in macroeconomics and political economy. It will also prove inspiring to a wider audience interested in modern Keynesian macroeconomics.
