The Analysis of Linear Economic Systems: Father Maurice Potron's Pioneering Works

Christian Bidard () and Guido Erreygers
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Christian Bidard: EconomiX - EconomiX - UPN - Université Paris Nanterre - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: English translation and scientific edition of Maurice Potron's (1872-1942) economic works. Potron is a French mathematician and a Jesuit whose economic model is inspired by the social doctrine of the Church. As early as 1911, Potron sketched an ambitious disaggregated economic model which aims at determining prices, activity levels, levels of employment, etc., and is directed towards the search of just prices and just wages. His later works aimed at developing the model, at studying its properties and at considering the possibility of its implementation. Long before any other economist, Potron conceived inut-output analysis, used the Perron-Frobenius theorem and proved a duality property. He also invented the so-called "Hawkins-Simon" criterion. A 60-page introduction gives biographical details and provides an account of Potron's familial, social, religious, historical and intellectual environment. It also clarifies the model itself by making use of a modern formalization. Preface by Paul A. Samuelson.

Keywords: Potron; linear economic models; Perron; Frobenius (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published in Routledge, 2010

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03094455

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