Economic theories development
(History of economic thought)
Petr Wawosz
Some useful information about
subject
What is usually the subject about
• The subject is about history of economic
thought, how economic thinking developed
during time, from the beginning of the human
existence to the present time.
• The subject gives list of economic theories,
schools (people who have similar opinion),
famous economists.
Abbreviation
• ETH = Economic Theories Development
• HET = History of Economic Thought
• Both titles mean the same subject! The term
„HET“ is used more often (in English).
Why to study the subject that
concerns history?
• If we do not understand the past times we are not able to
understand the present times.
• It is not necessary to discover something what had already
discovered.
• It is not necessary to develop theories and opinions that
had already developed.
• A study of the history of opinion is a necessary preliminary
to the emancipation of the mind.
• Past theories give us inspiration for future research. Our
ideas (thinking) are very often influenced by previous ones.
• It can be funny fascinating and adventurous.
Lectures
• Every Monday, 14.00-15.130, E227
• First lecture: 30th September 2013
• Last lecture: 16th December 2013
Lectures
• Participation on the lectures is voluntary,
there is no obligation to attend lectures, no
presence list.
• I do not intend only to lecture bud I give you
some tasks connected with final exams
(reading some prepared text and answering
question connected to the text).
Structure of lectures
• Presentations (usually Power-Point)
• Videos (usually from Youtube)
• Discussing economics texts – preparation for
the exam
• I do not concentrate on the history but on the
principle of economic thought, important
questions of economic thought and important
issues that was discussed during long history
of man.
Literature
• Sandmo, Agnar 2011. Economics Evolving: a
History of Economic Thought. Princeton
University Press.
• Taylor, Overton H. 2011. A History Of
Economic Thought . Literary Licensing.
• These books can be borrowed from library.
Literature on the IS (in study materials)
• See IS: Study materials – Learning materials.
Selected web sites
• http://socserv2.socsci.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/ (for
finding the site: „Archive for the History of Economic
Thought“)
• http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/teaching/Online%20
Text%20and%20Notes/History%20of%20Economic%20Tho
ught (for finding the site: „Online Text and Notes in History
of Economic Thought“)
• http://web1.boisestate.edu/econ/lreynol/web/Het.htm (for
finding the site: „History of Economic Thought by by R.
Larry Reynolds“ or „online economics textbooks“)
• http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3045000336.html
(for finding the site: „International Encyclopedia of the
Social Sciences“ and „economic thought“).
Selected other sources
•
•
•
•
•
www.econlib.org
http://eh.net
http://www.economicthought.net
www.mises.org
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economi
cs493/
• http://frank.mtsu.edu/~eaeff/566/hoth.htm
Finishing of the course
• The course is finished by exam.
• Exam:
- written: you get some economic text and
question connected to the text. You have to
answer the questions in time devoted for the
exam (probably 90 minutes).
- The answers can be written to the computer or
on the paper.
• Details to the exam will be given at the end of
winter term.
Finishing of the course
• I evaluate your answers, write you mail and
suggest a grade (including grade „fail“).
• If you do not agree with grade or you fail, we
meet and I give you another text or we will
discuss more about first text.
Finishing of the course
• The exam will be passed in exam period (in
January).
• The terms of the exam will be published in IS.
• It is necessary to apply for the exam.
Sense of the exam
• Exam is the proof you are able to:
- understand an economic text
- think about economic ideas
Contact:
• E-mail: petr.wawosz@centrum.cz
• Office hours from 30th September 2013 till end
of December 2013:
Wednesday: 14.00 - 15.00, Praha, Estonská E324
Thursday, odd weeks: 15.00 - 15.30., Most M09
• It is necessary to write me before your coming,
The different time is possible to arrange after
agreement.