Economics as progress: the LSE approach to econometric modelling and critical realism as programmes for research.

In the face of claims that economics is increasingly driven merely by fashion, this paper draws out certain similarities and differences between two self-consciously progressive and developmental research programmes—namely the LSE approach to econometric modelling and critical realism in economics....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cambridge Journal of Economics Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 179 - 206
Main Author: Pratten, Stephen
Format: Article
Published: Oxford University Press / UK March 2005
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Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:In the face of claims that economics is increasingly driven merely by fashion, this paper draws out certain similarities and differences between two self-consciously progressive and developmental research programmes—namely the LSE approach to econometric modelling and critical realism in economics. The argument is that, while these two programmes of research share a common point of departure and possess many common elements, what at root distinguishes them is their adoption of opposing philosophical orientations. The comparison enables both the nature of each programme, and the relevance of their common concerns, to be more easily appreciated and helps clarify the sort of evidence that would provide a basis for selecting one project over the other. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.