2024
History of Economic Thought
Name: History of Economic Thought
Code: ECN02301L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Economy
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The intention of this course is to become acquainted with the pioneers of economic science. The aim is not only to know the gestation of the main ideas but also to understand how in an absolutist view the History of Economic Thought traces a path from error to truth, and as in a relativist view, the ideas cannot be examined out of its historical context. The ultimate goal is to obtain a critical view on the fundamentals of economic science not only in respect to those authors that are out-dated but also in relation to what today is shared by most economists.
Contents
1. Classical Antiquity. Wealth in Plato and Aristotle. Distribution of wealth in Plato and Aristotle.
2. Christianity and Economics. Humanism. The economy in St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.
3. Mercantilism. Individualism. Wealth and its distribution. The gestation of the capitalist revolution.
4. Physiocracy. The critique of mercantilism and Quesnay's. Property and natural rights. Laisser faire laisser
passer.
5. Classical Economics. Smith. The utilitarian critique. Ricardo.
6. The Socialist Critique. Pre-Marxist socialism. Marx.
7. Marginalism. The precursors: Comte and Cournot. Value Theory and income distribution in Jevons. Walras'
general equlibrium.
8. Institutionalism. English and German Historicism. Veblen and American institutionalism.
9. The New Challenges of Capitalism. Monopolist capitalism and imperialism with R. Luxemburg and Lenin. The
decay of capitalism in Schumpeter. The reformulation of capitalism with Keyn
2. Christianity and Economics. Humanism. The economy in St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.
3. Mercantilism. Individualism. Wealth and its distribution. The gestation of the capitalist revolution.
4. Physiocracy. The critique of mercantilism and Quesnay's. Property and natural rights. Laisser faire laisser
passer.
5. Classical Economics. Smith. The utilitarian critique. Ricardo.
6. The Socialist Critique. Pre-Marxist socialism. Marx.
7. Marginalism. The precursors: Comte and Cournot. Value Theory and income distribution in Jevons. Walras'
general equlibrium.
8. Institutionalism. English and German Historicism. Veblen and American institutionalism.
9. The New Challenges of Capitalism. Monopolist capitalism and imperialism with R. Luxemburg and Lenin. The
decay of capitalism in Schumpeter. The reformulation of capitalism with Keyn
Teaching Methods
The more theoretical parto f the lecturing is done according to a conference format, flexible enough to allow moments of dialogue that contribute both to greater efficiency in the transmission of knowledge and to the strengthening of the relationship between teacher and student. Whenever possible discussions are promoted around the themes in focus as a fundamental element of teaching this course is to use the analysis of contradictory theories and policies. The more practical classes aim to focus on themes that constitute a deepening or an extension of the matters listed in the syllabus and involving the analysis of texts of the authors studied.
The assessment consists of a written exam worth 60% of the final grade and the presentation in the classroom of a work worth 40%. The assessment by exam consists of a written test worth 60% of the final grade and an oral exam worth 40%.
The assessment consists of a written exam worth 60% of the final grade and the presentation in the classroom of a work worth 40%. The assessment by exam consists of a written test worth 60% of the final grade and an oral exam worth 40%.
Teaching Staff
- Manuel Couret Pereira Branco [responsible]
Certificações
