This major two volume work contains a selection of the best papers presented at the annual meeting of the History of Economics Society. They correct errors of interpretation and undertake constructive analyses. They show the importance of studies of the history of economic thought for an understanding of its influence on our conceptions of the world and on economic, social and political behaviour.

This volume illustrates the administrative aspects that are an ongoing component of most economic theory, arguing that before the birth of political economy as a formal discipline, public and private administrators were formulating theories about economic processes as guidelines for administrative decisions. The main theme of the volume revolves around the influence of administrative considerations on the development of economic theory.

This unique selection of papers deals with a range of important issues in 20th century economics including the current state of methodological investigation, early modes of conflict and Wicksell's concept of capital. The economics of the inter-war period are examined as they pertain to Dutch Marxism, mainstream theories of uncertainty and the origin of the theory of imperfect competition.