Retrospectives: price indexes and general exchange values
Article Abstract:
The history of formulating price indexes can be traced to the 18th century when an Italian documented average changes in the prices of grain, wine and oil. The state of Massachusetts formulated a price index to remedy fluctuating currency values and prices during the Revolutionary War. In the 19th century, economists created indexes by tracing changes in the price of a fixed basket of goods at different periods. Price indexes garnered much attention from the public and policymakers in the 20th century when they began to be used as basis for wage increases and tax bracketing.
Publication Name: Journal of Economic Perspectives
Subject: Economics
ISSN: 0895-3309
Year: 1998
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Forty years of public economics: a personal perspective
Article Abstract:
An economics professor gives his views on the evolution of public economics in the past 40 years. Particular aspects of the field which he considers impressive are noted and assessed in the light of his outside experience. Selected papers by William Vickrey are mentioned as having helped inspire the writing of the personal perspective. The instructiveness of the short history of public economics on several issues including the interplay of theory and applications is discussed.
Publication Name: Journal of Economic Perspectives
Subject: Economics
ISSN: 0895-3309
Year: 1995
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Institutional economics: then and now
Article Abstract:
An historical account of institutional economics is given, from its conceptualization in America during the early 1900s, through to its importance in World War II and its application in the 21st century.
Publication Name: Journal of Economic Perspectives
Subject: Economics
ISSN: 0895-3309
Year: 2001
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