History of Economic Analysis: With a New Introduction [Paperback]

Joseph A. Schumpeter (Author), Elizabeth Boody Schumpeter (Editor), Mark Perlman (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0195105591 | ISBN-13: 978-0195105599 | Edition: Revised

At the time of his death in 1950, Joseph Schumpeter--one of the great economists of the first half of the 20th century--was working on his monumental History of Economic Analysis. A complete history of efforts to understand the subject of economics from ancient Greece to the present, this book is an important contribution to the history of ideas as well as to economics. Although never fully completed, it has gained recognition as a modern classic due to its broad scope and original examination of significant historical events. Complete with a new introduction by Mark Perlman, who outlines the structure of the book and puts Schumpeters work into current perspective, History of Economic Analysis remains a reflection of Schumpeters diverse interests in history, philosophy, sociology, and psychology. Major topics include the techniques of economic analysis, contemporaneous developments in other sciences, and the sociology of economics; economic writings from Plato and Aristotle up through the time of Adam Smith, including the medieval scholastics and natural-law philosophers; the work of Malthus, Mill, Ricardo, Marx, and the important European economists; the history, sociology, psychology, and economics of the period 1879-1914; and modern economic developments. Schumpeter perceived economics as a human science, and this lucid and insightful volume reflects that perception, creating a work that is of major importance to the history of economics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A great history, combining a wealth of research that would do credit to ten men with a breadth of understanding that only very few can achieve."--Robert L. Heilbroner, The Nation

"In its scope, in its grasp of related disciplines, in its display of erudition and in its charm of style, this book is one of the truly outstanding works in the social sciences. It will be a bible for students of economics."-- The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Joseph Alois Schumpeter (1883-1950) was an economist from Austria and a giant in the history of economic thought.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (March 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195105591
• ISBN-13: 978-0195105599
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 5.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 62 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Complex and Sophisticated History of Economic Theory November 18, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

The legendary History of Economic Analysis is without a doubt one of the greatest books of economic history ever written, but one should examine what kind of reading they're looking for before he or she embarks on this thousand page text. Schumpeter's unfinished history is divided into sections by ideology and time-period which is particularly useful but once you penetrate the well-organized table of contents, the writing becomes arcane and complex.

For a reader well-grounded in economic theory and history, I am sure that this is a bible; but for a curious reader interested in the history of economics (in a more political as opposed to theoretical perspective) this book may not be right. Highly footnoted and not very smooth writing, as well as obscure references to economists and theories results in a history that is very demanding of the reader. If you are looking for an economic history text that reads like From Dawn to Decadence you may be seriously disappointed, as I had been, but if you are a serious student of economics and are willing to spend the time to deliberate over Schumpeter's words then History of Economic Analysis is right for you.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE masterpiece in history of economic thought April 20, 2000

By Antonio Tiago Santos

Format:Paperback

After the considerable success of his then only in germanpublished Little Sketch of Doctrines and Methods, and while he wasteaching at Harvard, Schumpeter started working on a book wich would cover the ground of Little Sketch an beyond. What began just as leisure would become THE masterpiece in History of Economic Thought. Schumpeter spent ten years in this colossal effort and unfortunately did not finish it before his death. Nevertheless, nowhere else you will find a book more powerful and more profound on this theme. By History of Economic Analysis Schumpeter means the history of efforts made in the pursuit of comprehending economic phenomena, from Antiquity to present; not a book on history of ideologies. Schumpeter places the authors in their times and contexts, and tries to understand how they proceeded in analysing economic reality. A must for anyone interested in economic theory, history and philosophy.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginnings of economic concepts in full detail November 10, 2003

By Roberto P. De Ferraz

Format:Paperback

The objective of Schumpeter, one of the greatest economists of all times, is to portray in a very comprehensive detail, all the philosophical thinking that conduced to contemporary Economic Analisys, since the beginning of the ancient greek thought.

To me, that had a very great misconception about the works of Joseph Alois Schumpeter, this book was a revelation, be it for the immensity of his erudiction both as an historian, philosopher and economist, be it for the ingenuity in which he presents many new ideas and perspectives regarding economic analisys.

He is sometimes difficult to follow, not helped by the many and extensive footnotes he appends the book with, and by the many quotations he does in foreign languages, which he usually do not translate, be it in ancient Greek, Latin , French or German. Also , the book was unfinished in his lifetime and had to be edited by his wife, who was also deceased before the full completion of the giantic task. Even so, the book has some 1.300 pages and covers the full range of all the relevant economic thougth until the time of its publication.

A warning sign of caution must be addressed to the non-professional readers not not fully interested in the magnitude of such a scope, that is, of addressing the formative ideas of each and every important concept in economic analisys in a so complete way. This can be an overkill for you. But if you are interested in Medieval thought, the concepts exposed by , for instance, Saint Thomas and many others, this is a very good reading. Enjoy it

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Economics for adults July 4, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book is one of the greats. Written by a master of economic theory, it reflects his learning and insight. But have no mistake, Schumpeter expects you to meet him half-way, so if you like to be spoon-fed and prefer pictures to words, this is not the book for you. The book needs to be read together with the original material: Schumpeter is not a substitute for, but a guide to the material he writes about. To criticise this book for not being light reading is simply to misunderstand this: to understand important thoughts requires some thinking and if you are not prepared to do the work, you shouldn't fool with this book. While Blaug's book is a decent solid survey, the only work which begins to rival Schumpeter's in erudition and incisiveness is Marx's Theories of Surplus-Value, which covers a narrower period. If you respect this book and *really* study it, the effort repays handsomely. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, kudos to Schumpeter April 18, 2010

By Robert Kirk VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I was introduced to this author from the recommendations of Robert Helibroner's books and I am thankful for this books amazing depth. This book is not for faint at heart but if you are interested in economic analysis, you probably wouldn't be scared off by the magnitude of this masterpiece. The footnotes alone are worth the read. I think Schumpeter is amazing in his confidence, depth and skill in writing as if it was a one on one conversation. I was a bit surprised at some of his analysis of economic personalities but that is why this book is great. It's one man's opinion and that man knows his stuff. A must read for anyone REALLY interested in economics