History of British Economic Thought – serie

The second collection in the series "History of British Economic Thought" brings together six classic works in political economy by leading British writers of the 17th and 18th centuries.William Petty and John Cary were the leading influence of their time and a vital inclusion in such a collection. Both are represented here by the most complete editions of their writings. The innovative books of Robert Wallace and James Steuart are important works in economic theory. The Irish philosopher George Berkeley and the English Utalitarian Jeremy Bentham also made major contributions to economics during this period.

No book in the history of British economic thought has caused a more heated and lasting controversy than Thomas Malthus' An Essay on the Principle of Population. So provocative was it deemed upon publication in 1798, that Malthus dramatically altered its tone for the second edition of 1803. The impact of his orignal ideas was, however, still so strong that the controversy continued to rage for the next thirty years and beyond.This set contains the wide breadth of responses that met Malthus' work, focusing on several aspects of the debate: from the claim that Malthus was exagerratedly gloomy and pessimistic, to the accusation that his theory denied the goodness of God.

The Ricardian Socialists occupy a key position in the development of British economics in the nineteenth century, and in the wider development of socialist thought.Addressing all of the burning economic issues of the day, their work can be divided into two schools: 'anti-capitalist economists' including Hodgskin and Ravenstone, and co-operative socialists including Thompson, Gray and Bray. Both groups are represented in this set.

First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.