The Romantic Economist: Imagination in Economics Paperback – 5 Feb 2009

Review

'The Romantic Economist is a miracle, combining sophisticated economics with, of all things, sophisticated literary criticism - in aid of the economics. An economics that recognized our Wordsworthian selves, Richard Bronk argues in a lucid and learned style, would do much better at the analysis of getting and spending. The world is too much with us if we do not have a humanistic science of economics. Bronk is among the handful of modern students of the economy who sees this clear. Literary folk can learn from Bronk about the dismal science. But it is the tribe of the Econ who need him most. Fortunately they will find the needful assignment here a delight.' Deirdre McCloskey, author of The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce (2006)

'Bronk's The Romantic Economist is a highly original exploration of the ways in which an understanding of the Romantic tradition can help enrich and improve our economic thinking. With a rare command of orthodox economics, philosophy and literature, Bronk shows how our view of economic life is shaped by metaphors that limit our vision. Arguing that absorbing some of the insights into human action of Romantic writers enables us to correct these distortions, Bronk liberates economics from the stultifying effects of an over-mechanical view of human action. His book will be read with profit by political theorists, historians of ideas and - not least - practising economists.' John Gray, Emeritus Professor of European Thought, London School of Economics

'This is a truly riveting book which carries one, with wit, analytical sharpness and an unusual clarity of style, through two centuries of Anglo-Saxon debate between political philosophers, political economists, poets and public intellectuals over the nature of economics. … It establishes Richard Bronk as a substantial intellectual in the cultural history of economic thought.' David Soskice, Research Professor of Comparative Political Economy, Oxford University and Research Professor of Political Science, Duke University

'… fascinating new book …' Larry Elliot, Economics Editor, The Guardian

'… a fascinating blast against simplistic maths-based thinking … a very radical book … very persuasive …' Andrew Marr, BBC Radio 4

'… the author makes some sensible points about the limits of conventional economics, as well as some arguments for new methods which in my view would turn it into a different subject entirely - poetry perhaps. … All in all, this is a thought-provoking book for those who like to think about the nature of economics.' The Business Economist

'The Romantic Economist is a thrilling critique of economics. It lays bare the poverty of much mainstream economics and provides a road map to an alternative approach that is both realistic and robust, alongside some revelations about how businesses succeed.' Victor Smart, Head of Corporate Communications at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

'Richard Bronk's examination of economic history provides timely and useful food for thought, taking an intriguing approach to multi-disciplinary thinking that could just save twenty-first-century economics.' International Affairs

'… this is a book that can be usefully read by all economists. It is a book full of insight, imagination, and erudition. It is a book that contains some superb object lessons and reflections that could significantly improve the ability of economists to communicate with noneconomists and also help them to better apply their science to real-world problems.' David Colander, Christian A. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Economics, Middlebury College

'Richard Bronk speaks to and skilfully brings together the worlds of economics and literary criticism. It is impressive how much insight he has into both fields. This is one of the best books I have read in years.' Professor Sevket Pamuk, European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science

'An original and more revolutionary than it gives itself credit for critique of the standard neo-classical economics, this volume draws inspiration from the thinkers and writers of Romanticism in order to improve the breadth, depth and validity of economic theorising. Breathtakingly erudite and remarkably clear in its argument, it's certainly not for everybody, but a must for all policy practitioners, highly recommended for economists and worth checking out for anybody interested in social sciences.' Magda Healey, The Bookbag

'The argument is bold, important and, of course, timely. … extraordinary … Bronk has perhaps sown the seeds of a new paradigm in economics, or at least the possibility of multiparadigmacy.' Journal of Cultural Economy

'Bronk manages the exceptional feat of being fair and clear in expounding economic theories and the Romantic literature and philosophy.' Panoeconomicus

'The Romantic Economist is a useful book in pleading the case for greater interdisciplinarity between economics and the arts and social sciences and it provides a strong range of arguments for the further use of imagination by economists.' The Irish Times

'Economists must be immersed in literature and culture in order to understand the societies they try to explain, Bronk believes. He himself is certainly well versed in Romantic literature and philosophy and has written a scholarly treatise on it.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

Book Description

Since economies are dynamic processes driven by creativity, social norms, and emotions as well as rational calculation, why do economists largely study them using static equilibrium models and narrow rationalistic assumptions? This book argues that economists should look for new techniques in Romantic poetry and philosophy.