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by: Duncan K. Foley
Adam's Fallacy: A Guide to Economic Theology
By Duncan K. Foley
Publisher: Belknap Press
Number Of Pages: 288
Publication Date: 2006-09-30
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0674023099
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780674023093
Product Description:
This book could be called “The Intelligent Person’s Guide to Economics.” Like Robert Heilbroner’s The Worldly Philosophers, it attempts to explain the core ideas of the great economists, beginning with Adam Smith and ending with Joseph Schumpeter. In between are chapters on Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, the marginalists, John Maynard Keynes, Friedrich Hayek, and Thorstein Veblen. The title expresses Duncan Foley’s belief that economics at its most abstract and interesting level is a speculative philosophical discourse, not a deductive or inductive science. Adam’s fallacy is the attempt to separate the economic sphere of life, in which the pursuit of self-interest is led by the invisible hand of the market to a socially beneficial outcome, from the rest of social life, in which the pursuit of self-interest is morally problematic and has to be weighed against other ends.
Smith and his successors argued that the market and the division of labor that is fostered by it result in tremendous gains in productivity, which lead to a higher standard of living. Yet the market does not address the problem of distribution—that is, how is the gain in wealth to be divided among the classes and members of society? Nor does it address such problems as the long-run well-being of the planet.
Adam’s Fallacy is beautifully written and contains interesting observations and insights on almost every page. It will engage the reader’s thoughts and feelings on the deepest level.
(20061125)
Summary: a very solid book
Rating: 5
People who wrote negative reviews of this book could at least appreciate Foley's honesty: he unequivocally states it is his point of view and throughout the book he identifies himself as a political economist. He does not pretend he is some "positive scientist" like Milton Friedman did (the latter also used some of the most arbitrary and ridiculous assumptions in his work). This book presents an honest and well-argued opinion. Throwing the Soviet union into the comments is a complete straw man and has no relevance whatsoever.
This book presents the ideas of classical political economists, Marx, marginalists, as well as 20th century economists like Keynes, Hayek and Schumpeter. Insights are abundant: Smith believed in limited laissez-faire (for example, he believed in the infant industry argument), Marx's vision looked quite similar to capitalism (as it included a surplus product), Keynes differentiated between risk and uncertainty, etc. It is not an easy read as some passages get somewhat dry and technical (e.g. when theories of value are being discussed). Utlimately, this book has a wealth of ideas. Foley includes a nice list for further reading for those interested and an appendix with certain concepts explained (I thought the graph with Ricardo's analysis of land and rents was very helpful).
My only complaint is that it could have been longer. For example, Foley discusses Smith's division of labor quite a bit, but forgets to include Smith's claim that without government intervention to provide education, division of labor could also render human beings "as stupid and ignorant as it possible for a human creature to become". The discussion of Schumpeter and Veblen are painfully short and leave one wanting more. Foley mentions neoclassical synthesis in passing and claims it proved "unstable ideologically". It would be great to see this shift discussed in detail, but Foley moves on. Of course, I might be too demanding. Nevertheless, "Adam's Fallacy" provides food for thought for anyone interested in the history of economic ideas.
Summary: Economic Theory as Theology
Rating: 5
This is a truly excellent book. As a long time student of the history of economic thought, this book, subtitled "A Guide to Economic Theology" offers a truly insightful perspective on Smith and other classical economists. It has always been my belief that there are a lot of people (some are pompous neo-cons) who quote Adam Smith and have never read him. The author quite effectively dismantles the argument inherent in "Adam's fallacy"; that is by acting in our own (avaricous)self interest, we are acting for the public good; that we must accept injustice in the present to allow for distributive justice over time. Markets for goods, services, and labor do not always produce efficient, let alone just outcomes.
The book should be required reading - not just in Economics Departments, but for elected officials as well. Three cheers for Duncan Foley!!
Summary: A very enjoyable reading
Rating: 5
"Adam's Fallacy" is a very enjoyable reading for anyone interested in political economy; a refreshing view at the history of economic thought from a critical perspective and in an accessible fashion. The reader will appreciate Foley's wisdom in political economy and the care he takes in remaining unbiased, even when expressing the author's personal preferences.
Summary: 4.5 Stars-Excellent book-Horrible Title
Rating: 4
Foley is correct that "Modern" economic theory(Monetarism,Rational Expectations,Real Business Cycle theory,New Classical Economics, Efficient Market Hypothesis,etc.),which is based on the false claim that all markets can be modeled either as being normally distributed, or " as if " they were normally distributed,assumes stability and a natural self adjusting,self correcting invisible hand mechanism that,operating through the process of labor specialization,division of labor,extension of the market,and economic growth, transforms private greed into a social optimum.These theories model the economy as if it were inherently stable and subject only to exogenous shocks.They assume away the inherent ,internal,endogenous shocks created internally by both technical(capital goods) and financial innovation ,as well as the speculative shocks caused by speculators leveraging their bets with huge infusions of bank loans leading to the inevitable bubble and collapse.
Adam Smith did not make this error or commit "Adam's Fallacy".On pp.734-735 of the WN,1776,Modern Library (Cannan)edition,he makes it clear that the economic growth process of the Invisible Hand ,self interest,and the division of labor creates major undepletable,negative externalities(social,intellectual,martial,political,and moral) that impact practically the entire work force.The only way to counteract this is through government action.Foley needs to completely change the title to David's(Ricardo),Jeremy's(Bentham),and James'(Mills)Fallacy.
Summary: Compares favorably with Heilbronner's classic
Rating: 5
I have recently read both Adam's Fallacy and R. Heilbronner's The Worldly Philosophers (as well as other introductions to economic thought). Adam's Fallacy compares favorably with Heilbronner in that it is a little less devoted to biographies of economists and a little more devoted to the content of their theories. Accordingly, it demands a little more effort from the reader. I didn't find it a quick or an easy read. Despite its title, it is a balanced approach to economics, giving Smith credit where due while attempting to provide "a critical and skeptical understanding of political economy." My advice is to read both Heilbronner's and Foley's books -- and not to stop there. The more you read on the topic of economics, the more nuanced your understanding will become.
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