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Defining Economics: The Long Road to Acceptance of the Robbins Definition

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  • ROGER E. BACKHOUSE
  • STEVE G. MEDEMA

Abstract

Robbins' Essay gave economics a definition that came to dominate the professional literature. This definition laid a foundation that could be seen as justifying both the narrowing of economic theory to the theory of constrained maximization or rational choice and economists' ventures into other social science fields. Though often presented as self‐evidently correct, both the definition itself and the developments that it has been used to support were keenly contested. This paper traces the reception, diffusion and contesting of the Robbins definition, arguing that this process took around three decades and that even then there was still significant dissent.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger E. Backhouse & Steve G. Medema, 2009. "Defining Economics: The Long Road to Acceptance of the Robbins Definition," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 76(s1), pages 805-820, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:76:y:2009:i:s1:p:805-820
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0335.2009.00789.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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