Economics and the Social Sciences

This book is based on the premise that mainstream economics has become excessively specialized and formalized, entering a state of de facto withdrawal from the study of the economy in favour of exercises in applied mathematics. The editors believe that there is much scope for synergies by engaging in an encounter with economics and the other social sciences. The chapters in this book offer important new contributions to such a development. A select group of highly regarded contributors illustrate the potentially enlightening relationship between economics and a wide range of social science disciplines. In addition, some important concepts for economic analysis - for example the notion of routines, of social capital and of flexibility - are explored from the vantage point of several social sciences.

Postgraduate students in most social science disciplines and in economic sociology will find much to interest them in this book, as will students of psychology and economics.