Development, Gender, and the Environment: Theoretical or Contextual Link? Toward an Institutional Analysis of Gender
Two paradigms have dominated the current discourse on development, gender, and the environment: sustainable development and ecofeminism. This paper argues that each paradigm is based upon an essentialist definition of women and their relationship to the environment: rationality in the case of sustainable development and environmental empathy in ecofeminism. Both paradigms overlook the institutional context within which women interact with the environment. The paper suggests an analysis of gender as institutionalized habits of thought within particular substantive economies and environments. This "old" institutionalist perspective is the one most likely to fully legitimate gender as a subject of discourse in economics. J. Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp. 929-947, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
Decision Tools for Public Policy: Can We Do Without Economics?
This paper puts forward a set of broad suggestions about how
computerized decision tools may be used to inform issues of public
policy. In so doing it explicitly criticizes conventional economic
analysis on three grounds: it can only handle a limited set of
the variables that are associated with such issues. It has no
theory of the structural changes normally encountered in economic
systems. Its use runs up against severe information constraints
in complex situations. A total systems approach is likely to produce
better results but needs practical integration to permit constructive
dialogue among different professional interests. J. Econ. Issues
December 1996, pp. 949-966, University of
Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Holism and Collectivism in the Work of J.R. Commons
Criticisms of J.R. Commons allege that his work exemplifies an untenable form of holism and/or
collectivism. The argument of this paper is that Commons attempts to
theorize a conception of social relations. In orthodox economics
social relations are effectively absent and explanatory accounts are
usually exhaustively categorized into those focusing upon individuals
and those focusing upon collectives or wholes with individual-like
characteristics. Given this it is easy to see how Commons's work can
be mischaracterized. However, such criticisms actually serve to
identify problems internal to the individualist position from which
they proceed. J. Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp.
967-984, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United
Kingdom
Taylorism, John R. Commons, and the Hoxie Report
Taylorism is commonly associated with deskilling and the
disempowerment of labor. This article adds to recent literature that
has challenged this perspective by examining John R. Commons'
assessment of Taylor's management system. This clarifies the nature
of Taylor's thought and reveals new insights into Commons' character.
Evidence underpinning the demonised view of Taylor is examined and
attention is given to the evolution of Commons' thought. Particular
emphasis is given to the links between Taylor and the University of
Wisconsin, the explication of Commons' views and Robert Hoxie's
Scientific Management and Labor. J. Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp. 985-1016, University of Wollongong, Wollongong
NSW, Australia
Modeling Institutional Change: Some Critical Thoughts
This paper examines the theory of instituitonal
change presented by Paul D. Bush in 1987. A summary of central
elements of the theory is offered in order to identify broad areas
where there are problems. For example. Communities are thought to be
organic, with many attributes of persons. Further, the core idea of
value has problematic elements: it is hard conceptually or practically
to distinguish ceremonial from instrumental values; ceremonial values
are critical, yet not subject to analysis. The paper concludes with a
brief suggestion for reformulating the value concept. J. Econ.
Issues, December 1996, pp. 1017-1029, Eastern
Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.A.
Swaan, Wim and Lissowska, Maria
Capabilities, Routines, and East European Economic Reform: Hungary and Poland Before and After the 1989 Revolutions
The question considered is to what extent the reforms under state
socialism have shaped market or customer-oriented capabilities. A
comparison of enterprise behavior in Hungary and Poland after the
abolition of directive planning instructions is presented. The
implications for the transformation process following the
disintegration of state socialism are considered. Special attention
is paid to the role of path dependence and the simultaneity of
incentives, institutions and capabilities in shaping economic
performance. The paper concludes with a discussion of the degree to
which an evolutionary approach in positive, analytical terms is
equivalent to normative, "gradualist" policy recommendations. J.
Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp. 1031-1056, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw School of
Economics, Warsaw, Poland.
Macroeconomic Policy in a Transitional Environment: Romania, 1989-1994
Through an
examination of the political and economic situation in Romania, the
paper explores the inherent difficulty in carrying out a coherent and
consistent stabilization policy in an environment characterized by
radical uncertainty in all sectors of the economy. Romania was
perhaps the most economically closed socialist country and is still
one of the worst economic performers in the region. The hybrid policy
of restrictive demand management and slow institutional reform of the
past five years as done little to improve matters. Political
uncertainty exacerbates the situation. J. Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp. 1057-1075, American University in Bulgaria,
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Polarities Between Naturalism and Non-Naturalism in Contemporary Economics: An Overview
In the context of the philosophy of the social sciences,
this paper draws out polarities between competing tendencies in
contemporary academic economics. It explores how naturalistic and
non-naturalistic frameworks of thinking about economics differ in
philosophical presuppositions, theory formulation and appraisal, and
relations with other social sciences. J. Econ. Issues, December
1996, pp. 1077-1104, University of Melbourne,
Melbourne, Australia; Australian Catholic University, Melbourne,
Australia
The Origins of the A Priori Method in Classical Political Economy: A Reinterpretation
The first third
of the nineteenth century saw the method of rationalism rise to
dominance in English political economy. In retrospect, we can see
that the a priori method of the classical school was not the
rationalism of Descartes. On the contrary, the Scottish Common Sense
philosophy was initially adapted for political economy by Dugald
Stewart. This method, which was thought of as a variety of non-Humean
empiricism, was adopted by prominent writers such as Jean Baptiste
Say, James Mill, and John R. McCulloch. It was given its most formal
expression int he work of Nassau Senior and Richard Whately. J.
Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp. 1105-1125, Vassar
College, Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.A.
A Rhetorical Conception of Practical Rationality
The implications of
rhetoric for economics extend beyond the methodological, meta-economic
realms. Building on the work of rhetoricians and philosophers, a
"thick" rhetoric is described that supports a conception of practical
rationality that challenges the conceptions of agency, choice and
freedom employed by rational choice theory. A rhetorical conception
of practical reason would be non-algorithmic, emphasizing our ability
to choose reasonably without commensurating options; it would
emphasize reasons for action that emerge from a quest for
"self-understanding" and not merely from the pursuit of interest; it
would underwrite a conception of positive freedom. J. Econ. Issues, December 1996, pp. 1127-1142, Bowling Green State
University, Bowling Green, Ohio, U.S.A.
The Deja Vu of EMU: Considerations for Europe from Nineteenth Century America
This paper argues that the structure, dynamics and problems
of the antebellum American monetary system resemble those of the
modern European Monetary System. Because of these similarities, the
American experience in creating a common currency during its Civil War
has important implications for the proposed creation of a common
currency in Europe today. The institution of a common currency will
contribute to political and economic integration of the EU, but it
will also become a divisive political issue. J. Econ. Issues, December, 1996, pp. 1143-1161, American University's
Brussels Center, Brussels, Belgium
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