An Introduction to Political Economy (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Excerpt from An Introduction to Political Economy

In offering to the reader this revision of the Introduction, to Political Economy, it seems advisable to explain some of the circumstances which have called it forth, and which have consequently determined its character. In particular is it important to explain its relation to the author's Outlines of Economics, in order to avoid confusion and possible inconvenience.

The "Introduction" was first published in 1889, and has since then without change passed through many editions. The "Outlines," which appeared in 1893, was originally intended to be simply a revised edition of the "Introduction," but finally grew into something quite different. It was therefore decided not to withdraw the earlier work, and in the preface to the "Outlines" it was stated that "in any future revisions of the two books an effort will be made to develop still further the peculiarities of each; the aim of the 'Introduction' being to furnish chiefly historical and descriptive material; the aim of the 'Outlines' being to give a systematic sketch of theory." Since the appearance of the "Outlines" the author has been gratified to learn from many sources that his course at that time has met with approval; and in this revision he seeks to carry out the intention to which reference has just been made. It has not been attempted, however, to make the revision in any way a new book, but rather to keep it essentially the same book while developing it in the direction indicated. The chief purpose of the revision has been to remove obvious defects, to bring statistical statements down to date, and to change theoretical expositions, so far as the advance of economic thought clearly requires that this should be done. On the other hand, it is altogether foreign to the purpose of this work to enter into theoretical controversies.

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