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Lionel Robbins: A History of Economic Thought 1981



Currently going through this lecture series from Lionel Robbins from the London School of Economics given during 1979 - 1980 and 1980 - 1981 academic years. I am loving the episodic nature of his lectures.

Summary: An episodic telling of great economic theorists from Plato to Irving Fisher. Heavily biased towards writers whom in his opinion had the greatest influence. Less comprehensive than other similar HET works. He has an excellent reading list at the back on Appendix A. Great place to pick up more interesting books.

Essential readings according to Robbins:

  1. Joseph Schumpeter: Economic Doctrine & Method BOOK NEW
  2. Richard Cantillon: Essai sur la Nature du Commerce
  3. John Quesnay: Tableau Economique
  4. David Hume: Economic Essays
  5. Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations
  6. Richard Cantillon: Principles
  7. Marx: Das Kapital volumes 1 - 3; Critique of Political Economy (the earlier work)
  8. Cournot: Recherches sur les principes mathematiques de la theorie des richesses (translated by Irving Fisher)
  9. Jevons: Theory of Political Economy
  10. Walras: Elements
  11. Menger: Grundsatze der Volkswirtschaftslehre
  12. Alfred Marshall: Principles of Economics
Optional readings:
  1. Malthus: Essay on Population; Political Economy
  2. JS Mill: Principles of Political Economy
  3. J.B. Say: Treaty on Political Economy
  4. Alexander Hamilton: Report of Manufacturers
  5. Friedrich List: System of Political Economy
  6. Longfield: Lectures on Political Economy
  7. Von Thunen: Die isolierte Staat
  8. John Rae: Statement of some new principles on the subject of political economy
  9. Herman Heinrich Gossen: 

Fun quotes

"The sovereign maxim for success in this branch of studies is to concentrate on the study of original texts. Most short histories of economic thought of the text book variety, with their facile generalizations and slick classifications, are to be avoided." pg. 321

"Books about books are chiefly useful for those who know the books they are about." pg. 321


Amazon purchase link: A History of Economic Thought: Robbins, Lionel, Medema, Steven G., Samuels, Warren J., Baumol, William J.: 9780691070148: Amazon.com: Books

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