Essays in Socio-Economics

These essays deal with various aspects of a new, rising field, socio­ economics. The field is seeking to combine the variables studied by neoclassical economists with those typically studied by other social sciences. The combination is expected to provide a better understanding of economic behavior and the economy as well as society; make more reliable predictions; and be more in line with normative values we seek to uphold. The new field, though, may be less elegant mathematically and possibly less parsimonious than neoclassical economics. Some of my ideas on this subject are included in a previously published book, The Moral Dimension: TowardA New Economics (New York: The Free Press, 1988). They also led to a formation of an international society of several thousand scholars who are interested in the field, the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics. The essays at hand are in effect grouped. The first two, previously published respectively in the Journal of Economic Psychology and Business Ethics Quarterly, reflect my most recent thinking. They both have a utopian streak that may stand out especially in these days when unfeathered capitalism is the rage. The first points to people, who far from making consuming ever more their life's project, seek a less affiuent way oflife. It examines the psychological foundations and the social consequences of such an approach.

Contenu

Chapter 1: Voluntary Simplicity: Characterization, Select Psychological Implications, and Societal Consequences I. Voluntary Simplicity Characterization II. Psychological Implications: Simplicity and Satiation III. Social Consequences of Voluntary Simplicity Chapter 2: A Communitarian Note on Stakeholder Theory I. 'Private Property' and 'Incorporation' as Social Constructs II. Corporations are the Property of ALL Who Invest in Them III. Mechanisms of Representation: Employees IV. Representation of Other Constituents V. Stakeholders and the Common Good Chapter 3: Opening the Preferences: A Socio-Economic Research Agenda I. Open Preference Introduced II. Economists' Exits III. Co-determination: Defined and Illustrated IV. A Conceptual Clarification: Multi-Faceted and Incompatible V. A Dynamic Approach VI. Preferences: Process vs. Outcome VII. A Preference to Change One's Preference VIII.Societies, Groups, Leadership and Persuasive Advertising IX. Normative Significance Chapter 4: The Case for a Multiple-Utility Conception I. Monoutility: Too Parsimonious II. The Moral 'Utility' III. More Than Two? IV. Challenging Findings and Observations V. Conclusion Chapter 5: Normative-Affective Factors: Toward a New Decision-Making Model I. Normative-Affective Persons II. Toward a N/A Decision-Making Model III. Are N/A Considerations 'Disruptive'? IV. On Definitions, Measurments, and Alternative Interpretations Chapter 6: Mixed-Scanning Revisted I. Mixed-Scanning: Definition and Illustrations II. Operationalization III. Positive and Normative IV. Structural Factors V. Some Evidence VI. In Conclusion Chapter 7: Making Policy for Complex Systems: A Medical Model for Economics I. Rationality and Policymaking II. The Problem of Scientific Fragmentation III. Resynthesis: The Elusive Solution IV. Economics and the Medical Model: The Differences V. Conclusion Chapter 8: The Mapping of Man Chapter 9: Whose Moralty? Which Community? What Interests? Socio-Economic and Communitarian Perspectives by Richard M. Coughlin I. Introduction II. A Brief Recent History of Socio-Economics and Communitarianism III. Points of Divergence between Socio-Economics and Communitarianism IV. The Importance of Political Context V. Missing Pieces VI. Conclusion