No. 1, December 1995
(Created by Takutoshi Inoue)
Greetings to the Japanese Society for the History of Ameriacn Economic Thought
Warren J. Samuels
The formation of The Japansese Society for the History of American Economic Thought is a most welcome development.
As one of the founders of the U.S. History of Economics Society, whichthis year celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, I think that I can ap- preciate your sense of accomplishment and prpspect.
The study of American economic thought is, obviously, a most importantfield. It is "obviously" that because economics during the last half-century has become a predominantly U.S. subject; American neoclasscism hasbecome the dominant, even hegemonic, school. Its history thus becomes a major field for historians of economic thought.
But I encourage my Japanese colleagues to interpret neither American economic thought in general nor neoclassical economic thought in particu- lar on its own terms. American economic thought is more diverse than is rendered by saying that neoclassicism has become dominant. Neoclassism is itself heterogeneous and the economics discipline of which it is so impor-tant a part is manifestly diverse as well. Heterodox economics schools have been an important part of the discipline in the U.S. since the end ofthe nineteenth century. And, no less important, the tools of historio-graphical research - such as the study of scientific knowledge and sociology of the professions and of small groups - must be brought to bear on the intellectual and personal history of American economic thought. Much of the most interesting work in the history of economic thought worldwide has been undertaken along lines considerably departing from the Whiggish, legitimizing tendencies of some traditional work in the field. The field is richer for all that. Moreover, one can practice the newer forms of historical research without being either for or against any particular school.
The formation and operation of a professional society, such as yours, can be of immense value to individual scholars. The society can provide a sense of identity and of common purpose; it can provide a mode of encouraging and rewarding reseach. Your society can have a wonderful future. I wish it well.
The 1st Annual Meeting (Kwansei Gakuin University, June 10, 1995)
Takao Tsukamoto (Nihon University), W. C. Mitchell's Criticism on T. R. Malthus' Principles of Population
Tetsuo Taka (Kyushu University), The Making of Big Business and the Development of American Economic Thoughts
Exhibition: A Collection of Economic Works by and about Irving Fisher(1867-1943) belonging to The Kwansei Gakuin University Library
The Constitution of The Japanese Society for the History of American Economic Thought (June 10,1995)
1 NAME
The name of the society shall be The Japanese Society for the History of American Economic Thought.
2 AIM
The aim of the society is to prpmote the studies of the History of American Economic Thought and to exchange information on them. In 'the History of American Economic Thought', history of economics, history of social thought, and social,economic history are broadly included.
3 ACTIVITIES
(1) Study meetings.
(2) Exchange with any like foreign and domestic societies.
(3) Publication of the newsletters of the society.
(4) Other activities in accord with the aim of the society.
4 MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the society will be composed of scholars of the History of American Economic Thought in a broader sense. Applicants will be admitted to the society by the directors upon the recommen- dation of a member of the society.
5 MEMBERSHIP DUES
The annual membership dues are 3,000 yen.
6 DIRECTORS
Several directors will be chosen to manage the society. One of them act as President.
7 OFFICE
The office of the society is located, for the time being, at the School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University (1-1-115, Uegahara, Nishinomiya Hyogo, Japan 662. Tel. 0798-54-6204; Fax. 0798-51-0944 ).
The Second Metting of the Society
The second meeting of the Society will be held at Nihon University in Tokyo on the 15th of June 1996.
Reference: Prof. Takao Tsukamoto
Department of Economics Nihon University 1-3-2 Misakicho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, JAPAN Tel. 03-3219-3410 Fax. 03-3219-3328
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