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From Synthetic Marx to Synthetic Kafka: A Rejoinder to Magness and Makovi

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  • Joseph Francis

Abstract

In 2023, Phillip W. Magness and Michael Makovi published their article “The Mainstreaming of Marx” in the Journal of Political Economy. I criticized that article in the previous issue of Econ Journal Watch, and Magness and Makovi replied, sticking to their guns. In both of Magness and Makovi’s pieces, the novel aspect of their argument is that Karl Marx was not well-known before the Russian Revolution. Nonetheless, as I reiterate in this rejoinder, their use of the synthetic control method (SCM) is inappropriate to this research question and, if anything, contradicts this claim. Furthermore, I present a simpler analysis of the Google Ngram Viewer data that is in line with Isaiah Berlin’s more conventional view of Marx already being well-known before 1917. I also show that Magness and Makovi have made basic errors when looking at the JSTOR data. My argument remains that non-quantitative methods are generally better suited to the study of intellectual history.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Francis, 2025. "From Synthetic Marx to Synthetic Kafka: A Rejoinder to Magness and Makovi," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 22(1), pages 1-91–107, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ejw:journl:v:22:y:2025:i:1:p:91-107
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alberto Abadie & Javier Gardeazabal, 2003. "The Economic Costs of Conflict: A Case Study of the Basque Country," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(1), pages 113-132, March.
    2. Joseph Francis, 2024. "Should We Quantify Karl Marx?," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 21(2), pages 357–384-3, September.
    3. Abadie, Alberto & Diamond, Alexis & Hainmueller, Jens, 2010. "Synthetic Control Methods for Comparative Case Studies: Estimating the Effect of California’s Tobacco Control Program," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 105(490), pages 493-505.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Karl Marx; Russian Revolution; synthetic control method; quantitative methods; intellectual history;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B14 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Socialist; Marxist
    • B24 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Socialist; Marxist; Scraffian
    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • B51 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Socialist; Marxian; Sraffian
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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