W. C.ミッチェルとソースタイン・ヴェブレン(アメリカ制度学派の研究,共同研究)
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This article is on a study of the econmic theory of Thorstein B. Veblen, founder of institutional econmics. The study is based on various views of Wesley C. Mitchell, Veblen's follower. In his Types of Economic Theory: From Mercantilism to Institutionalism, Mitchell explains the development of economic theories from his own unique viewpoint of institutionalism. Basically, while maintaining a Darwinist view, he examines each economic theory. His study is worthy of attention in that he succeeds to Veblen's thought and the same time, lays the foundation of the criticism of orthodox economics. It is significant to consider how Mitchell evaluated Veblen's theory in his Types of Economic Theory. Clarifying these points has an important and theoretical value in elucidating the development of institutional economics. So in this paper I attempt a brief summary of Mitchell's views. Mitchell first chooses two opposing economists, Thorstein B. Veblen and Karl H. Marx. By studying their differences concerning evolutionary processes, future societies, and the conception of human nature, Mitchell comes to the characteristics of Veblen's economic theory. Then, Mitchell analyses Veblen's personal equation in three respects: his personal experiences, individual trait and the combination of the two. Lastly, Mitchell attempts an elucidation of Veblen's economic theory, centering around Veblen's The Theory of Business Enterprise. In his writing, Mitchell chooses two themes, individual economic problems and continuity of businesses, and develops his arguments around them. Mitchell studied Veblen's wide-ranging economic theories profoundly yet concisely as a whole. However, there are several problems, which will be pointed out in the following. First of all, in the explanation of Veblen's personal equation, Mitchell did not fully investigate the background of the time. In his analysis of industrial classes, he should have emphasized more the so-called "engineers" which was clearly distinguished from mere laborers. He did not see the confrontation and contradiction between "industry" and "business" which Veblen had considered, with relation to the theory of instincts. Furthermore, he overlooked the fact that Veblen studied the changes of institutions through the interaction of human beings to their environment. Lastly, as Professor Akira Sasaki has pointed out, he did not clearly recognize the fact that Veblen adopted Hegelian dialectic after having severe misgiving and having made basic revisions as well as having applied rational aspects to it. As stated above, Mitchell's views contain several problems. Yet, his studies on Veblen's economic theory, which maintains a high standard, should be evaluated correctly.
- 1986-03-20
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- A.G.グルーチーのW.C.ミッチェル論(ヴェブレンとミッチェルの理論体系,共同研究)
- W. C.ミッチェルの制度経済学 : アラン・G・グルーチーの所説の検討(ヴェブレンとミッチェルの理論体系,共同研究)
- W. C.ミッチェルとソースタイン・ヴェブレン(アメリカ制度学派の研究,共同研究)