A history of economic doctrines : from the time of the physiocrats to the present day

This volume offers a sweeping survey of economic thought, beginning with the early French physiocrats and moving through the classical giants such as Smith and Ricardo, up to the vibrant debates of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The authors place each doctrine in its historical context, showing how ideas about production, distribution, and value responded to the social and political currents of their time. Readers will find clear explanations of how the French, German, and British schools diverged, and why certain theories rose to prominence while others faded. The introductory chapters also touch on the methodological split between “pure doctrine” and historical analysis, setting the stage for the detailed examinations that follow.

Subsequent sections trace the evolution of marginalism, Marxist critiques, and the burgeoning field of institutional economics, linking each to its intellectual ancestors. By weaving together biographical sketches, scholarly disputes, and the broader economic environment, the book helps listeners grasp why particular concepts mattered then and how they still echo today. It is a concise yet comprehensive guide for anyone curious about the lineage of ideas that shape modern economics.