ABSTRACT
The reviewer of these volumes1 faces a daunting task, not simply because of their immense size but also because they cannot adequately be considered in isolation. Together with Professor Hollander’s earlier studies of The Economics of Adam Smith (1973: p. 351) and The Economics of David Ricardo (1979: p. 759) they constitute a sustained campaign to establish the validity of a singular unified interpretation of the central tradition of nineteenth century British economic thought. Moreover, if Hollander’s main thesis is correct, it has direct implications for our understanding of orthodox (or mainstream) twentieth century economics. Under these circumstances the reviewer’s responsibility is unusually onerous, and it is therefore appropriate to note that the following account reflects the standpoint of an ‘outside insider’—that is, a generalist historian of economics rather than a specialist on Mill or, indeed, on classical economics. Accordingly, this review focuses less on the details than on the broader features and significance of Hollander’s treatment of Mill.
