Political Economy After Economics: Scientific Method and Radical Imagination

Description

This re-incorporation of economics into political economy is one (small, but not insignificant) element in a larger project: to place all of the resources of present-day social-scientific research at the service of increasing democracy, in an ultimate direction toward socialism in the classic sense. An economics-enriched political economy is, above all, empowering: working people in general can calculate, build models, think theoretically, and contribute to a human-worthy future, rather than leaving all this to their "betters." "Laibman's essays express a genuine desire for knowledge and a willingness to engage with others in an open-minded but critical manner. His book tackles vital questions relevant not only to Marxist political economy but social sicence in general…Laibman's message that mathematical modeling, combined wtih deep and careful cirtical reflection, is necessary in order to bring 'science and emancipation together' is important. Only true ideas are effective, after all. Laibman's book should therefore interest all who share that goal." - Ian Wright, Department of Economics, The Open University, Science and Society