Intellectual History of Economic Normativities

This incisive collection dissects the intricate, often fraught relationship between economic logic and moral reasoning across different historical periods. Through a series of detailed case studies—from colonial tax policies to famine relief reforms—the contributors map the intellectual terrain where financial imperatives and ethical imperatives collide. The book introduces the powerful analytical lens of "economic normativities" to examine how societies have continually defined what constitutes both a sound economy and a good society. It compellingly argues that our current debates over markets and morality are not new but are the latest iterations of a long-standing intellectual struggle.

What distinguishes this work is its refusal to treat economics and ethics as separate spheres, instead revealing them as a deeply entangled pair whose connection is constantly being renegotiated. Readers interested in the philosophical underpinnings of capitalism, the history of political thought, or the moral dimensions of policy will find a rich, challenging resource here. By tracing these connections from historical trade practices to modern financial systems, the book provides essential context for understanding today's most pressing debates about inequality, value, and justice. It ultimately demonstrates that every economic decision carries a moral weight, forcing a reckoning with the values embedded in our systems of exchange.