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Bernard Shaw and the making of Fabian economics

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  • Antonio V. B. Mota Filho

Abstract

In its origins, economic science was marked by an intense dialogue with other areasof knowledge. As it developed, however, the so-called “scientific” model of economicscame to predominate, whose scope was characterised by a formalist methodological perspective,which restricted the audience for discussion in economics. To reach the majority of thepopulation, economics had to adapt its methodological format, giving up its analytical refinement.The “popular” model of economics thus emerged. The aim of this article is to analyse apoint of intersection between these two models in the economic formulations of the first generationof the Fabian Society, in particular, the contributions of George Bernard Shaw. Knownmainly for his literary texts, Shaw also wrote the articles on economics in the influential bookFabian Essays in Socialism. The article is divided into three sections: an introduction; an exposition of Bernard Shaw’s formulations on economics in the Essays and a conclusion. Themain conclusion of the paper is that, in seeking an intersection between the scientific and popularmodels of economics, Shaw ended up developing an eclectic formulation of economics,sometimes juxtaposing elements of both neoclassical and Marxist economics. JEL Classification: B13; B14.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio V. B. Mota Filho, 2025. "Bernard Shaw and the making of Fabian economics," Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Center of Political Economy, vol. 45(2), pages 303-319.
  • Handle: RePEc:ekm:repojs:v:45:y:2025:i:2:p:303-319:id:2506
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fabian Society; marginalism; marxism; literature;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B13 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Neoclassical through 1925 (Austrian, Marshallian, Walrasian, Wicksellian)
    • B14 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Socialist; Marxist

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