Knut Wicksell, Gustav Cassel, Eli Heckscher, Bertil Ohlin and Gunnar Myrdal on the Role of the Economist in Public Debate

Benny Carlson and Lars Jonung ()

Econ Journal Watch, 2006, vol. 3, issue 3, 511-550

Abstract: In Swedish public debate, economists have been more influential than any other category of social scientists. We examine the views of five great Swedish economists on the role of the university economist in the public arena. What did they say about scholarly objectivity and value judgements, about political commitment and educating the people? The five economists are Knut Wicksell, Gustav Cassel, Eli Heckscher, Bertil Ohlin and Gunnar Myrdal. Representing two generations and a broad political spectrum, they were immensely productive. They founded Sweden’s tradition of media-tuned university economists strongly involved in the current social issues. More recently, however, academic economists in Sweden have shifted away from that ideal. The future of the old heritage hangs in doubt.

Keywords: Knut Wicksell; Gustav Cassel; Eli Heckscher; Bertil Ohlin; Gunnar Myrdal; public debate; role of economists; Sweden (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B10 B20 B30 B31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ejw:journl:v:3:y:2006:i:3:p:511-550

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