ABSTRACT

Traditional economics treats the defining subjective properties of economic agents (tastes, preferences, demands, goals and perceptions) as if they are determined independently of individual and collective relations with other agents. This collection of essays reflects the increasingly common view that economics cannot continue to disregard all economic phenomena inconsistent with this conception.
The volume is especially concerned with the idea of intersubjective influences on market outcomes. A team of expert international contributors have been brought together to address the question of intersubjectivity from a variety of perspectives. Using methods of description and analysis they explore the structures and effects of concrete interdependencies between individual subjectivities engaged in economic activity, and develop conceptual and analytical tools for this task. Many of the essays are interdisciplinary in scope and in addition to economics the book should provide valuable lessons in psychology, sociology, social theory, philosophy, political science and history.

chapter |8 pages

INTRODUCTION

Why intersubjectivity?

part |2 pages

Part 1 INTERSUBJECTIVE AGENTS

chapter 3|13 pages

ALL CONSUMPTION IS CONSPICUOUS

chapter 4|15 pages

FLAWS IN THE FOUNDATION

Consumer behavior and general equilibrium theory

chapter 7|18 pages

THE ECONOMICS OF CRIMINAL PARTICIPATION

Radical subjectivist and intersubjectivist critiques

chapter 8|14 pages

‘EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT’

Intersubjectivity and the television industry

part |2 pages

Part II INTERSUBJECTIVE STRUCTURES

chapter 9|20 pages

MARKET, IMITATION AND TRADITION

Hayek vs Keynes

chapter 10|22 pages

RECONSTITUTIVE DOWNWARD CAUSATION

Social structure and the development of individual agency

chapter 13|15 pages

SOCIAL NETWORKS AND INFORMATION

chapter 14|10 pages

DISPOSITIONS, SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND ECONOMIC PRACTICES

Towards a new economic sociology

chapter 15|13 pages

ADAM SMITH’S SYMPATHY

Towards a normative economics