Economic Sociology or Economic Imperialism? The Case of Gary C. Becker

Jacek Tittenbrun

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: The paper is devoted to a critical analysis of a number of key theories by Gary S. Becker. It is commonly believed that his main accomplishment lies in the extension of the scope of an economic analysis to include numerous traditionally considered as non-economic phenomena. This extension, however, is only feasible at the expense of another extension – this time of the scope of the concepts used. This over-inclusiveness , in turn, makes his theories impossible to falsify, thus calling into question their scientific quality. In the process of considering particular Becker’s conceptions, i.e. human and social capital, the family, marriage and household and the polity a host of other specific drawbacks of Becker’s economic approach to social processes, often related to his ideological bias are indicated.

Keywords: Becker; human capital; social capital; marriage; altruism; self-interest family (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-09-25
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-his, nep-hme, nep-hpe, nep-hrm and nep-soc
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:33708

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