A History of Economic Thought

by Isaak Illich Rubin, Donald Filtzer (Editor)

This is an important and unparalleled work which situated Marx's economic theory in relation to the economic theories that pre-date him - from mercantilism to John Stuart Mill. First published in 1929, the book dates from the fertile period of Marxist economic theory that produced the works of Preobrazhensky, Kondratiev and Bukharin. However as a review of pre-Marxist economics it stands out from the many books which dwell only on the contemporary industrialisation debates. This is a selective reading of economic thought, offering analysis of those elements in past economics that accord with the areas of interest to Marxism. Each section gives a brief analysis of a specific school of thought, with particular attention to the social and ideological climate within which it evolved. The book differs from orthodox accounts in not merely mentioning historical background but using it as a central explanation of the evolution of economic theories.*BR**BR*As a counterpoint to Rubin, Catherine Colliot-Thelene has written a daring essay which locates a crucial flaw in the logical structure of Marx's Capital.

Genres: Economics, History, Nonfiction

440 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

(Russian: Исаа́к Ильи́ч Ру́бин) was a Jewish economist and is considered to be the most important theorist of his time on the field of Karl Marx's theory of value. His main work Essays on Marx's Theory of Value was published in 1924. He was executed in 1937 during the course of the Great Purge, but his ideas have since been rehabilitated.

Reviews

[Victor Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaak Ilyich Rubin provides a wonderful explanation of the historical development of various concepts within Marxian political economy. Given that it was a textbook, Rubin's style is very refreshing and quite easy to follow.

Concepts such as the Labor Theory of Value, Reproduction Theory, Surplus Value, etc. Are contextualized and the varying interpretations by different economic thinkers ranging from William Petty to Adam Smith to David Ricardo and beyond show us their various contributions to the economic sciences and their limitations.

This text in particular really drove home the true importance of Karl Marx as an economic thinker that shattered many erroneous interpretations of theory and as someone could guide us as far he did because he walked the path trodden by intellectual giants towards a future where exploitation and prosperity for all of mankind is a palpable possibility.

[Niels Verhoye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise, yet illuminating overview of the historical course of economic philosophy. Rubin proves himself a brilliant theorist, and I look forward to reading his essays on the Theory of Value. His murder is yet another tragedy we can add to Stalin’s endless list of crimes and a premature robbery of a bright mind’s insights.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just reading material in one of my university courses ugh.. Thought I must say it did provide some interesting explanations of the historical development of various concepts within Marxian political economy.
OFC I passed :)