From Cambridge Keynesian to institutional economist: the unnoticed contributions of Robert Neild

Geoffrey M Hodgson,Francesca Gagliardi,David Gindis

doi:10.1017/s1744137417000534

Geoffrey M Hodgson, Francesca Gagliardi + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1017/s1744137417000534

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Abstract

AbstractRobert Neild (born 1924) has made a major contribution to economics and to peace studies. This paper provides a brief sketch of Neild's life and work. While noting his research in economic policy and peace studies, this essay devotes more attention to his largely unnoticed contributions to institutional and evolutionary economics since 1984. These are important in their own right, but they are especially notable because Cambridge heterodox economists have been devoted mainly to other approaches, including Marxism and post-Keynesianism. Neild's distinctive contribution is partly explained by his closeness to both Nicholas Kaldor and Gunnar Myrdal. Myrdal made explicit his adherence to the original American institutionalism: Neild extended that link to Cambridge.

Highlights

Robert Neild is a Cambridge economist who, in his long career, has made a major contribution in several fields, including economic policy and peace research.1 In recent years he has written important work on the role of institutions, and on the need for an evolutionary approach in economics
This paper provides a brief sketch of Neild’s life and work
While noting his research in economic policy and peace studies, this essay devotes more attention to his largely unnoticed contributions to institutional and evolutionary economics since 1984. These are important in their own right, but they are especially notable because Cambridge heterodox economists have been devoted mainly to other approaches, including Marxism and post-Keynesianism

Summary

Introduction

Robert Neild (born 1924) is a Cambridge economist who, in his long career, has made a major contribution in several fields, including economic policy and peace research. In recent years he has written important work on the role of institutions, and on the need for an evolutionary approach in economics. Robert Neild (born 1924) is a Cambridge economist who, in his long career, has made a major contribution in several fields, including economic policy and peace research.. Robert Neild (born 1924) is a Cambridge economist who, in his long career, has made a major contribution in several fields, including economic policy and peace research.1 In recent years he has written important work on the role of institutions, and on the need for an evolutionary approach in economics. Neild joined the Royal Air Force in 1943 but was invalided out in 1944 and saw no action He joined the operational research section of RAF Coastal Command where he was put to work in a team of scientists trying to assess how high patrols should be flown when searching for U-boats that stayed underwater equipped with a breathing pipe.

Leaving and re-entering Cambridge

Oysters and institutions

Corruption and institutional evolution

Findings

Conclusion