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Cambridge Journal of Economics 26:727-738 (2002)
Copyright © 2002 Cambridge Political Economy Society

Article

Reflections on critical realism in political economy

Peter Nielsen *

*Roskilde University.

Address for correspondence: Peter Nielsen, Department of Social Sciences, House 23.1, Roskilde University, PO Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; email: petern{at}ruc.dk

Abstract

This paper studies critical realism in political economy. The focal points are two important tensions in critical realism. The first tension relates generally to the status and importance of philosophy and the scope of critical realism. The second tension relates specifically to critical realism in political economy. Firstly, two perspectives within critical realism in political economy are separated: a Marxist current and a broad heterodox current. Secondly, these two perspectives within critical realism are contrasted and discussed on the basis of a critical stance towards philosophical reductionism. Thirdly, it is argued that reconciliation between central aspects of the two perspectives is both feasible and desirable, and finally, neo-Marxist political economy is pinpointed as a critical-constructive and developmental mediation for critical realism in political economy.

Key Words: Critical realism • Heterodox economics • Marxism • Methodology • Political economy


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