The status of the concept of identity in economics

Abstract

The subject of this special issue of the Forum for Social Economics is ‘Identity, Institutions, and Power.’ As an introduction and as background for how the papers in the issue address this complex subject, I briefly discuss the contested status of concept of identity in economics. Just as economics as a whole is contested in regard to its theories, goals, and methods, so is the interpretation of the concept of identity. I close with brief comments on how the papers employ the concept in connection with their analyses of economic institutions and power relationships.