Marx, Veblen, and Contemporary Institutional Political Economy

Principles and Unstable Dynamics of Capitalism

New Horizons in Institutional and Evolutionary Economics series

菲利普·安东尼·奥哈拉,全球波里tical Economy Research Unit, Australia

This book uses an institutional–evolutionary approach to analyse economic problems associated with developments in capitalism during the second half of the twentieth century. It argues that economics should centre on institutions – the durable fabric of the economy over time.

Drawing on the foundations of Marxist and institutional political economy, the book traces the lineages of institutional themes, as well as considering feminist, post-Keynesian, holistic economics and Schumpeterian perspectives. The nature of institutions in the growth and instability of capitalism is then explored with reference to social structures of accumulation.

‘Phillip O’Hara’s intention in this well-written and referenced book is to provide a new synthesis between neo-institutionalist followers of Veblen and adherents of the neo-Marxist approach to political economy . . . Beyond those interested in its primary objective, this book is also likely to find a readership among people who wish to get a solid introduction to economics beyond the literature and questions that are of current interest to the mainstream of the profession . . . This book is a clear and accessible survey of a remarkable range of literatures . . . the book represents a useful survey of several important non-mainstream approaches to political economy.’
– Robert E. Prasch, Eastern Economic Journal

‘Phillip O’Hara’s book is one of the most important works attempting to synthesize the contributions of Karl Marx and Thorstein Veblen in political economy. This is not a history of thought book, but rather a forward-looking book. . . By highlighting the similarities and integrating the common ground of neo-Marxism and neoinstitutionalism, O’Hara has made a tremendous service to heterodox political economy for this is the only way to strengthen the field and move it forward toward what O’Hara calls institutional political economy. . . . This book is an excellent resource for students and scholars interested in linkages between institutionalist and Marxist political economy. Readers will find the book thought provoking, intellectually exciting, and, more importantly, optimistic about the possibilities for further development and integration within heterodox political economy.’
– Fadhel Kaboub, Review of Radical Political Economics

‘Philip O’Hara has written an excellent and important book. It should be read by all economists, but it will be particularly useful to heterodox economists interested in exploring the commonalities between Marxism and institutionalism, and using that analysis to understand and change contemporary capitalism.’
– Martin H. Wolfson, The Economic Record

‘This book is a deep analysis of the capitalist system and its evolution, and belongs to the radical institutionalism deriving from Marx and the old institutionalism founded by Veblen. It is an impressive work. . .’
– Jean Bernard and Jacques Brasseul, Journal of Evolutionary Economics

‘[O’Hara’s] achievement is considerable. Foremost is his institutional explanation of the recent conflicts and crises that plague contemporary society. O’Hara’s book makes great strides toward building an institutionally grounded radical political economy capable of reducing future conflicts and crises.’
– Hans G. Despain, Constitutional Political Economy

“尤其是在这本书的优点是一个例外ellent review of the debates that have been conducted in the pages of the Journal of Economic Issues and the Review of Radical Political Economics since the 1960s. . . a splendid tribute to the greatest and most under-rated political economist that the United States has produced, and to his followers among the questioning intellects in North American economics.’
– Jan Toporowski, History of Economics Review

‘One must admire these chapters. They offer an analysis that cannot be ignored, based on a deeper appreciation of the factors at work than anyone else has ventured . . . It is the best of the analyses of the radical institutionalists.’
– Daniel Fusfeld, Journal of Economic Issues

‘. . . it is certainly one of the major advances in institutional economics and political economy in recent memory.’
– Wolfram Elsner, EUEPE Newsletter