Conference on the History of Economic Thought (HET)

To contribute to the development of the field and to the advancement of our understanding of the historical roots of contemporary economic debates and challenges

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The study of the history of economic thought is a rich and multifaceted field that offers insights into the development of economic ideas, theories, and practices over time. This field encompasses a wide range of perspectives, from classical and marginalist economics to Marxist and feminist economics, and engages with broader intellectual, political, and social debates.

The first Azim Premji University workshop on the history of economic thought (in 2015) discussed current developments in a number of different areas of economic thinking covering Classical economics, Post-Keynesian economics, Cambridge approach to economics, heterodox economic thinking and the history of econometrics in India.

The Conference on the History of Economic Thought (HET) 2023 aimed to contribute to the development of the field and to the advancement of our understanding of the historical roots of contemporary economic debates and challenges.

It provided a platform for scholars, researchers, and graduate students to engage with the rich and diverse body of knowledge in this field, and foster interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange, and will facilitate the emergence of new insights and perspectives on the history of economic thought.

Keynote Lectures

Pre-conference workshop

The pre-conference workshop (on August 24) was designed to provide an introduction to the field of history of economic thought. This was aimed at teachers of HET interested in building capacity as well as students who have not studied HET systematically.

It was a unique opportunity for participants (especially teachers of HET and students) to gain practical insights and techniques that they can apply in their teaching and research.

History of Indian and Russian Economic Thought

They also share their motivations to pursue research in the history of economic thought.

Understanding Heterodox Economics

How do we “know” things about the economy? Is there one way of answering economic questions or can there be multiple answers to the same question? Why do only some economic ideas or schools of thought become dominant? What, in turn, is Heterodox Economics? Scott Carter answers these questions and more with Srishti Yadav.

Tugan-Baranovsky’s Ethical Socialism | François Allisson

The Russian/Ukrainian economist Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky once wrote that “Every accomplished social system consists of three parts: of the criticism of the existing social conditions, of a determined conception of the future organisation, and of considerations regarding the ways and means by which its principles are to be carried out in actual fact.” (1910, p. 185).

This presentation reconstructs Tugan-Baranovsky’s ideas about the critique of capitalism and about the organisation of the future society, by showing the role that ethics plays in both. His legacy constitutes a reminder that, while looking for a brighter future, one shall reconsider the distinction between positive and normative economics, to favour incursions into normative economics.