History of Econometrics in France (Routledge Studies in the History of Economics, Vol. 85)

This text challenges the traditional view of the history of econometrics and provides a more complete story. In doing so, the book sheds light on the hitherto under-researched contribution of French thinkers to econometrics. Fascinating and authoritative, it is a comprehensive overview of what went on to be one of the defining subsets within the economics profession. Le Gall explains how econometric ideas developed from, and were inspired by philosophical worldviews and scientific paradigms from the nineteenth century. Exploring the methodology of French authors like Cournot, Briaune and Regnault he demonstrates how they were influenced by the natural sciences of their time, rooted as they were in a worldview where natural order and laws played a central role and how, when an organized discipline emerged at the start of the Twentieth century, these econometric ideas intermingled with new worldviews associated with the complexity of the economy. This book is essential reading for postgraduate students and researchers in the history of economic thought, economic methodology and the history of science as well as econometricians at all levels. Philippe Le Gall Explains How Econometric Ideas Developed From And Were Inspired By Philosophical Worldviews And Scientific Paradigms From The Nineteenth Century. He Explores The Methodology Of French Authors Like Cournot, Briaune And Regnault And Demonstrates How They Were Influenced By The Natural Sciences Of Their Time, Rooted As They Were In A Worldview Where Natural Order And Laws Played A Central Role. As An Organized Community Emerged At The State Of The Twentieth Century, Le Gall Shows How These Econometric Ideas Intermingled With New Worldviews Associated With The Complexity Of The Economy. This Book Is Essential Reading For Postgraduate Students And Researchers In The History Of Economic Thought, Economic Methodology And The History Of Science As Well As Econometricians At All Levels.--book Jacket. Introduction : Unifying Econometrics -- The Secrets Of The Beehive : Cournot's Law Of Sales As Natural Econometrics -- The Formation Of Agricultural Prices, Economic Cycles, And Natural Order : Briaune's Social Meteorology -- Natural Laws On The Stock Market : Regnault's Financial Physics -- Statistical Socioeconomics For The Masses : March Attacks -- If We Suppose That... : Lenoir And The Artificial Worlds Of Econometrics -- Conclusion : From Nature To Models. Philippe Le Gall ; With A Foreword By Mary S. Morgan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [269]-285) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 8 Copyright......Page 9 Contents......Page 12 Illustrations......Page 16 Foreword......Page 18 Acknowledgements......Page 23 1 Introduction: Unifying econometrics......Page 26 Part I: Natural econometrics and the “system of the world”......Page 46 2 The secrets of the beehive: Cournot’s “law of sales” as natural econometrics......Page 50 3 The formation of agricultural prices, economic cycles, and natural order: Briaune’s social meteorology......Page 92 4 Natural laws on the Stock market: Regnault’s “financial physics”......Page 132 Part II: The rise of twentieth century econometrics and the “unity of orchestration”......Page 184 5 Statistical socioeconomics for the masses: March attacks......Page 188 6 “If we assume that...”: Lenoir and the artificial worlds of econometrics......Page 232 7 Conclusion: From nature to models......Page 280 References......Page 294 Index......Page 311 Fascinating and authoritative, this work, challenges the traditional view of the history of econometrics and offers a comprehensive overview of what went on to be one of the defining subsets within the economics profession