1st Edition

Economic Methodology A Historical Introduction

By Harro Maas Copyright 2014
202 Pages 36 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

202 Pages 36 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

202 Pages 36 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Ever since the inception of economics over two hundred years ago, the tools at the discipline’s disposal have grown more and more more sophisticated. This book provides a historical introduction to the methodology of economics through the eyes of economists. The story begins with John Stuart Mill's seminal essay from 1836 on the definition and method of political economy, which is... Read more
1. Introduction 2. Economics: inductive or deductive science 3. Economics and Statistics 4. Business Cycle Research: the emergence of a modelling practice 5. Keynes and Tinbergen: the dramaturge versus the architect 6. Milton Friedman and the Cowles Commission for Econometric Research 7. Modelling between Fact and Fiction: Thought Experiments in Economics 8. The experiment in Economics 9. Simulating with models 10. Economics as a science: games economists play 11. Suggested further reading

Biography

Harro Maas is Associate Professor in the School of Economics at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

'There is no doubt that Harro Maas’s Economic Methodology: A Historical Introduction is a very important, innovative and scholarly written introduction to the methodology of economics. In putting the practices of economists at its heart it may – and should – attract a wide readership. Students of the history of economic thought and economic methodology will indeed find in this book much food for thought. I can only strongly recommend its reading.' - Journal of Economic Methodology

'What is good economics? Instead of offering armchair answers to this question, the book offers detailed descriptions of the practice of economics throughout the course of its rich history.'Esther-Mirjam Sent, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

'Harro Maas provides a concise introduction to the sources of factual knowledge and approaches to theoretical knowledge of leading economists of the last two centuries. His book is not about what economists say they do, or what methodologists say they should do, but what they do. It makes for a great read.'Richard Van Den Berg, Kingston University London, UK 

'The book's historical approach reflects a wide knowledge and deep understanding of economics and contains much that will fascinate practising economists and their students. It is a remarkable book, written in a lively and engaging style, that everyone with any interest in economic methodology, as well as economists who think methodology has nothing to say to them, should read.'Roger Backhouse, University of Birmingham, UK