A Critique of Mainstream Growth Theory: Ways Out of the Neoclassical Science (-Fiction) and Toward Marxism
Revitalizing Marxist Theory for Today's Capitalism
ISBN: 978-1-78052-254-8, eISBN: 978-1-78052-255-5
Publication date: 7 November 2011
Abstract
This chapter is a radical critique of the neoclassical growth theory, justifying ways out of mainstream economics. It has three parts. The first one analyzes growth theories from the Classical representation to the endogenous growth models. The second part demonstrates that the “new growth theory” is not a break with Solow's formalization. To prove it, we build an original Solowian endogenous growth model. Then, this neoclassical macrodynamic framework is technically, deeply critized in a third part. We show that both exogenous and endogenous neoclassical models prove to be incapable to explain growth in the long period. We concentrate on the ambiguities surrounding the hypothesis of single agent, as well as on the role of the state, in particular when it is considered as a “planner” by the neoclassicals. Endogenous growth models do not correspond to macrodynamization of the Walrasian general equilibrium, nor have solid microeconomic bases. We advocate in favor of rehabilitating state's intervention in social areas and of reactivating Marxist theoretical reflections regarding social planning and class analysis in the current time of structural crisis of the capitalist world system.
Citation
Herrera, R. (2011), "A Critique of Mainstream Growth Theory: Ways Out of the Neoclassical Science (-Fiction) and Toward Marxism", Zarembka, P. and Desai, R. (Ed.) Revitalizing Marxist Theory for Today's Capitalism (Research in Political Economy, Vol. 27), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0161-7230(2011)0000027003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited