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In Favor of Rigor and Relevance: A Reply to Mark Blaug

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  • Heinz D. Kurz
  • Neri Salvadori

Abstract

Mark Blaug has written another paper in which he attacks “Sraffian” economics. He characterizes his piece as “a new version of an earlier effort [that] extends and hopefully deepens the argument.” A careful scrutiny of the paper shows that Blaug reiterates once again his previous criticisms, adds a few new ones, but does not enter into a serious discussion of the replies to his earlier efforts. We provide an overall assessment of Blaug's various attacks on “Sraffians” and draw readers' attention to a significant change in direction in his recent one. In addition, we refute a number of contentions and remarks by Blaug. We conclude with a plea for rigor and relevance.

Suggested Citation

  • Heinz D. Kurz & Neri Salvadori, 2011. "In Favor of Rigor and Relevance: A Reply to Mark Blaug," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 43(3), pages 607-616, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:hop:hopeec:v:43:y:2011:i:3:p:607-616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pierangelo Garegnani, 2024. "Misunderstanding Classical Economics? A Reply to Blaug," Springer Studies in the History of Economic Thought, in: Roberto Ciccone (ed.), Capital Theory, the Surplus Approach, and Effective Demand, pages 341-352, Springer.
    2. Heinz D. Kurz & Neri Salvadori (ed.), 1998. "The Elgar Companion to Classical Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, volume 0, number 851.
    3. Salvadori, Neri, 1981. "Falling Rate of Profit with a Constant Real Wage: An Example," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 5(1), pages 59-66, March.
    4. Heinz D. Kurz & Neri Salvadori, 2002. "One Theory or Two? Walras's Critique of Ricardo," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 34(2), pages 365-398, Summer.
    5. Schefold, Bertram, 1976. "Different Forms of Technical Progress," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 86(344), pages 806-819, December.
    6. Heinz D. Kurz, 1998. "Marx on Technological Change: The Ricardian Heritage," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Riccardo Bellofiore (ed.), Marxian Economics: A Reappraisal, chapter 9, pages 119-138, Palgrave Macmillan.
    7. Mark Blaug, 1999. "Misunderstanding Classical Economics: The Sraffian Interpretation of the Surplus Approach," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 31(2), pages 213-236, Summer.
    8. Kurz,Heinz D. & Salvadori,Neri, 1997. "Theory of Production," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521588676, January.
    9. Pasinetti,Luigi L., 2007. "Keynes and the Cambridge Keynesians," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521872270, January.
    10. repec:bla:econom:v:59:y:1992:i:236:p:475-81 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Kurz, Heinz D & Salvadori, Neri, 1992. "Morishima on Ricardo: Review Article," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 16(2), pages 227-247, June.
    12. Heinz D. Kurz & Neri Salvadori, 2008. "New Growth Theory and Development Economics," Chapters, in: Amitava Krishna Dutt & Jaime Ros (ed.), International Handbook of Development Economics, Volumes 1 & 2, volume 0, chapter 15, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    13. Heinz D. Kurz & Neri Salvadori, 2002. "Mark Blaug on the “Sraffian Interpretation of the Surplus Approach”," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 34(1), pages 225-236, Spring.
    14. Neri Salvadori (ed.), 2003. "The Theory of Economic Growth," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2741.
    15. Christian Gehrke & Heinz D. Kurz, 2006. "Sraffa on von Bortkiewicz: Reconstructing the Classical Theory of Value and Distribution," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 38(1), pages 91-149, Spring.
    16. Mark Blaug, 2009. "The Trade-Off between Rigor and Relevance: Sraffian Economics as a Case in Point," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 41(2), pages 219-247, Summer.
    17. Tony Aspromourgos, 2004. "Sraffian research programmes and unorthodox economics," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(2), pages 179-206.
    18. Kurz, Heinz D, 1978. "Rent Theory in a Multisectoral Model," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 30(1), pages 16-37, March.
    19. Mark Blaug, 2002. "Kurz and Salvadori on the Sraffian Interpretation of the Surplus Approach," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 34(1), pages 237-240, Spring.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Kemp-Benedict, Eric, 2014. "A Kaleckian Model with Intermediate Goods," MPRA Paper 57076, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mark Blaug; Sraffian economics;

    JEL classification:

    • B51 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Socialist; Marxian; Sraffian
    • D50 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - General
    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists

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