ABSTRACT
Most economists assume that the mathematical and quantative sides of their science are relatively recent developments. Measurement, Quantification and Economic Analysis shows that this is a misconception. Its authors argue that economists have long relied on measurement and quantification as essential tools.
However, problems have arisen in adapting these tools from other fields. Ultimately, the authors are sceptical about the role which measurement and quantification tools now play in contemporary economic theory.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter 1|21 pages
From political arithmetic to game theory
An introduction to measurement and quantification in economics
chapter 2|9 pages
“I have no great faith in political arithmetick”
Adam Smith and quantitative political economy
chapter 3|32 pages
Ordering society
The early uses of classification in the British statistical organizations
chapter 10|10 pages
The indicator approach to monitoring business fluctuations:
A case study in dynamic statistical methods
chapter 13|15 pages
The right person, in the right place, at the right time
How mathematical expectations came into macroeconomics
chapter 14|17 pages
The New Classical macroeconomics
A case study in the evolution of economic analysis
chapter 15|17 pages
Experimenting with neoclassical economics
A critical review of experimental economics
chapter 22|10 pages
Liapounov techniques in economic dynamics and classical thermodynamics
A comparison
