Conclusion
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
Summary
The main purpose of this book has been to examine and develop the theoretical core of various approaches to political economy. Where possible, we began with a recognized body of theory in either economics or politics. More often than not, extant theories addressed only part of the story – either economics or politics – leaving the linkages largely undeveloped. As a result, our task was not only to describe, but also to draw out the theoretical connections between economics (however denned) and politics (however defined). Thus the book represents in part a survey of existing approaches and in part an active theoretical construction of political economy.
The emphasis of the book is on the diversity of approaches rather than their similarities. We have tried to identify the distinctive marks of each approach and to draw out their significance. We have not tried to integrate approaches, for instance by absorbing them into larger categories or by showing how the concepts of several approaches are special cases of a more general theory.
What do we mean by diversity of approaches? In general we mean that the theories examined have different key assumptions, different actors, and different explanatory and interpretive tasks. To synthesize these approaches, or to assimilate some into others, risks confusing more than is clarified. The summary following reviews each theory, highlighting its important characteristics and distinctive senses of political economy.
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- Information
- Theories of Political Economy , pp. 217 - 226Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1992