Constructing Economic Science: The Invention of a Discipline 1850–1950

Abstract

In 4 parts and 13 chapters, this book explores the invention of economics as a university discipline in the UK (with some comparative discussion of other countries when relevant). Tribe makes several points, but at core, he suggests there is a dangerous Whig history tendency to read the development of economics backwards from its current state. He argues that the development of economics as a subject in the UK depended on various contextual factors in the 19th and early 20th century. These included (and this list is not exhaustive): industrialisation and urbanisation, which provided a basis for public education initiatives (grassroots organisation and philanthropic work and funding, leading to study groups, public lectures, night schools etc.); the gradual transformation of subject foci, teaching, and assessment at Cambridge (paralleled by somewhat different trends at Oxford); the emergence of new universities, notably University College London (originally named University of London) and London School of Economics (LSE) as part of that university (under their auspices degrees were awarded around the country prior to other universities being awarded charters); and the development of an interest in commercial education since this could (and did) also act as a vehicle for the development of economics (though the term ‘host’ is probably more appropriate, given the ultimate outcome was separation and, to some degree, displacement).