Robinson, Andrews, and Marshall: A Case of Arguing at Cross Purposes?

The collected papers of Sir Austin Robinson held in Cambridge’s Marshall Library contain documents including correspondence that reveal Robinson’s steadfast opposition to the empirical work undertaken by the Oxford Economists’ Research Group (OERG) beginning in the 1930s. Robinson particularly took exception to the OERG’s flawed research methodology thereby casting doubt on the credibility of their findings that challenged traditional price theory. The collected papers of P. W. S. Andrews and Elizabeth Brunner held in the LSE’s Robbins Library contain lectures that reveal Andrews’s steadfast defence of the OERG’s work including his signature Manufacturing Business wherein he proffered his alternative normal cost theory. It is rather curious that two dedicated Marshallian industrial economists would maintain such adamant opposition until the end of their lives. Perhaps, it is a case of arguing at cross purposes? A neglected article by Alfred Marshall may offer some insight that disentangles both an ontological and epistemological difference between Robinson and Andrews.