Perfect competition and the transformation of economics /
[Book]
Frank M. Machovec.
New York :
Routledge,
1995.
xi, 391 pages :
illustrations ;
23 cm.
Foundations of the market economy
Includes bibliographical references (pages 342-372) and indexes.
1. Introduction and Overview -- 2. Statement of the Problem -- 3. The Magnetic Lure of Market Socialism -- 4. Competition and Entrepreneurship in Classical Political Economy -- 5. Uncertainty and Entrepreneurship in Classical Political Economy -- 6. The Perfectly Competitive Model: Evolution Or Revolution? -- 7. Competition and the Law -- 8. Evolution Versus Revolution: The Conventional Wisdom -- 9. Alfred Marshall, Increasing Returns, and Competition -- 10. Perfect Competition: Ascendance and Impact on Habits of Thought -- 11. Stylized Assessment of Gain Versus Pain -- 12. Summary and Conclusions.
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The assumptions of perfect information and perfect competition have been at the heart of neo-classical economics. However, in Perfect Competition and the Transformation of Economics, Frank Machovec demonstrates that the Walrasian vision has had a detrimental impact on the definition of economics and on its policy prescriptions. The author examines how economists came to accept an interventionist approach to domestic policy issues, and how the perfect-competition model transformed four key areas of study: industrial organization; comparative systems; the economics of development; international trade.