The History of Economic Ideas

This textbook traces the evolution of economic ideas from the ancient to the modern world by examining the contributions of the most important scholars to some of the most important ideas in economics.It provides topics that are important for the understanding of contemporary economic issues. This includes ethical foundations of modern economics; ideas regarding property rights; price theory; money and interest; public finance; the theories of business cycles and economic growth; international trade; and issues related to population and resource use. The book's originality lies in its overall organization, which allows readers to explore the development of ideas on a specific topic in detail.

The global financial crisis has drawn attention to the importance of understanding historical ideas and learning lessons from the past. However, it can sometimes be difficult to trace the connections between old ideas and modern day issues. This textbook traces the evolution of economic ideas from the ancient to the modern world by examining the contributions of the most important scholars to some of the most important ideas in economics.

The History of Economic Ideas surveys topics that are important for the understanding of contemporary economic issues, including the ethical foundations of modern economics; ideas regarding property rights; price theory; money and interest; public finance; the theories of business cycles and economic growth; international trade; and issues related to population and resource use. The book's originality lies in its overall organization, which allows readers to explore the development of ideas on a specific topic in detail. Yet it is brief enough to use alongside the original writings on which it is based.

Filled with student-friendly features including a series of "Did You Know" facts and end-of-chapter questions, this book is engaging and provides invaluable reading for all students of the history of economic thought and economic issues.

Autorentext

Brandon Dupont is Associate Professor of Economics at Western Washington University, USA, where he teaches economic history, political economy, and the history of economic thought. His research interests include a variety of topics in American economic history and the history of economic thought.

Inhalt

Chapter 1: An Overview of the History of Economic Ideas Chapter 2: The Ethical Foundations of EconomicsChapter 3: Property Rights from Plato to the 21st Century Chapter 4: The Emergence of Modern Price Theory Chapter 5: Money, Lending and Interest Chapter 6: Public Finance in Historical Perspective Chapter 7: Depressing Thoughts - Theories of Recessions and Depressions Chapter 8: Economic Growth Theory in Historical PerspectiveChapter 9: The History of International Trade Theory Chapter 10: Population, Environmental and Resource Issues in Historical Perspective