Political economy

Political economy is a branch of social science that studies the relationships between individuals, societies, markets, and governments. It combines elements of economics, sociology, and political science to understand how political institutions, the economic system, and the political environment influence and interact with each other.

History

The term "political economy" was first used in the 18th century by Adam Smith, a Scottish economist and philosopher. Smith's work, The Wealth of Nations, is often considered the first modern work of economics. It introduced the concept of the invisible hand, which suggests that markets will self-regulate if left alone by government.

In the 19th century, political economy became a more distinct field of study with the work of Karl Marx. Marx's Das Kapital critiqued the capitalist system and introduced the concept of surplus value, which is the difference between the value produced by a worker and the wages the worker receives.

Modern Political Economy

In the 20th century, political economy evolved into two main branches: neoclassical economics and Marxist economics. Neoclassical economics focuses on the role of supply and demand in shaping economic outcomes, while Marxist economics focuses on the role of class struggle.

In recent years, the field of political economy has expanded to include a broader range of topics, such as the impact of globalization, the role of institutions in economic development, and the relationship between economic inequality and political instability.

Key Concepts

Political economy is based on several key concepts, including:

• Market: A system where buyers and sellers interact to exchange goods and services.
• State: The political entity that has the power to enforce laws and regulate economic activity.
• Capitalism: An economic system where the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit.
• Socialism: An economic system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the state or by the workers.
• Globalization: The process of increasing interdependence and integration among countries.

See Also

• Economic sociology
• Institutional economics
• International political economy
• Public choice theory

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  Discours sur l'économie politique by Rousseau, 1758

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  Robert Keohane

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  Professor Susan Strange, c. 1980