Dennis Robertson (Great Thinkers in Economics)

Sir Dennis Holme Robertson (1890-1963) was one of Britain's foremost economists, who was also celebrated widely abroad, especially in the USA. He made a crucial contribution to the development of economic thought during his lifetime, especially regarding the relationship between the trade, or business, cycle and economic growth in a money-using economy, and bequeathed an inimitable legacy to posterity. Robertson was also, for many, one of the best-loved economists, who charmed generations of Cambridge undergraduates with his teaching and delighted readers worldwide with his witty and whimsical style of writing. For intellectual precocity, literary facility and the inherent interest of his non-professional activities, Robertson rivals John Maynard Keynes. At the same time, Robertson has been described as a neglected, or at least relatively undiscovered, economist, whose contributions are largely unknown beyond a relatively small group of loyal supporters in the profession. In the years since Robertson's death, this group has done much to bring his ideas to the notice of a wider audience. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Robertson's life and work, and the relationship between them, based on biographical and historical evidence, literary criticism and economic analysis. There is also a focus on Robertson's relationship - personal and professional - with Keynes and Keynesian economics, within the Cambridge School of economic thought. Robertson's main economic ideas and theories are examined closely and his contributions explained. Uncovering the sources of Robertson's inspiration and ideas and the all-important causal relationship between the man and his work, this fascinating account is a must-read for all interested in rediscovering this great economist Front Matter....Pages i-ix Dennis Robertson: The Economics and the Man....Pages 1-11 The Early Years: Lessons for Life....Pages 12-24 Cambridge Undergraduate: The Light and the Dark....Pages 25-36 Varieties of Escape: 1, Economist and Soldier....Pages 37-48 The Economics of Social Improvement....Pages 49-62 A Theory of the Trade Cycle....Pages 63-69 The Anatomy of the Study....Pages 70-77 Welfare in Relation to Cycles and Growth....Pages 78-85 The 1920s: Making a Reputation....Pages 86-94 The Characteristics of a Style....Pages 95-108 Money in a Theory of the Cycle....Pages 109-123 An Odd Little Book....Pages 124-130 Banking Policy in the Cycle....Pages 131-144 An Ideal Banking Policy....Pages 145-149 Varieties of Escape: 2, Traveller and Professional Actor....Pages 150-158 The 1930s: Robertsonian Theory and Policy in the Decade of Keynes....Pages 159-170 Robertson and Keynes: Parallels and Differences....Pages 171-178 Keynesian Revolution and Robertsonian Dissent....Pages 179-188 A Resolution of the Controversy....Pages 189-200 The LSE and the Treasury....Pages 201-212 Professor at Cambridge: 1, Faculty Politics, Public Service and Lecturing....Pages 213-222 Professor at Cambridge: 2, Public Addresses, Querulous Dissent and Scenes from College Life....Pages 223-234 A Question of Legacy....Pages 235-246 Back Matter....Pages 247-268 "Sir Dennis Holme Robertson (1890-1963) was one of Britain's foremost economists, who was also celebrated widely abroad, especially in the USA. He made a crucial contribution to the development of economic thought during his lifetime, especially regarding the relationship between the trade, or business, cycle and economic growth in a money-using economy. This book provides an overview of Robertson's life and work, and the relationship between them, based on biographical and historical evidence, literary criticism and economic analysis. There is also a focus on Robertson's relationship - personal and professional - with Keynes and Keynesian economics, within the Cambridge School of economic thought."--Jacket