Intention and failure of W. Roscher's historical method of national economics

Birger P. Priddat

pp. 15-38

in: Peter Koslowski (ed), The theory of ethical economy in the historical school, Berlin, Springer, 1995

Abstract

In his publication History of Doctrines ["Dogmengeschichte"] Schumpeter describes Wilhelm Roscher¹ as having been well known "for his profound writings on history of economic thought as well as his stature as a leading figure in the arena of scholarly economics where, in dry lectures and heavy tomes, he conscientiously taught the (primarily English) orthodox doctrines of the time by illustrating historic facts. This, however, does not yet make him an historical economist in the true sense of the word" (Schumpeter, vol. 2, p. 988). In the end Schumpeter says elsewhere that Roscher is not a historical economist at all but rather an ,,extremely deserving successor of the English ,classicists " (Schumpeter, vol. 1,p.623)