Alternative paths for a theory of political economy

This chapter contrasts two approaches to working with the compound noun “political economy.” The standard, additive framework treats polity and economy as distinct objects, and with polity intervening into economy to change its attributes. The alternative, entangled framework treats polity and economy as comprising a single system that is only partially decomposable into separate subsystems. This alternative framework leads into recognition that property rights are social relationships that continually are open to contestation. It also leads to recognition of the significance of different forms of the capital accounts of political enterprises.