Social economics

the first 200 years

Thomas O. Nitsch

pp. 5-90

in: Mark A. Lutz (ed), Social economics, Berlin, Springer, 1990

Abstract

The history of social economics (l"économie sociale, etc.), like that of political economy before it, begins with some conceptual or theoretical reflection on human economic activity, to which a designation is subsequently accorded. As that expression catches on, it comes to be appropriated by diverse views of and approaches to that praxis and discipline, viz. human economizing and its lore. In modern times, political economy— l"Oeconomie politique, 1615; Staatswirthschaft, 1755; Economia civile, 1765; Political Oeconomy, 1767—began as the designation for the prevailing school of mercantilism/cameralism, whence being appropriated by Adam Smith and disciples (1776–1874) to express an entirely different view of how best to "administer" the national household.²

Cited authors

Smith Adam