In an attempt to revive interest in the history of economic thoughts, an economist has come out with a book in Tamil that focuses on the subject in detail.
S Neelakandan, former professor of Economics, Bharathidasan University and former director, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) has authored a book titled Adam Smith mudhal Karl Marx Varai (From Adam Smith to Karl Marx). The book revolves around the history and developments of classical-political Economics.
“When every nation is striving to improve its economy, the subject is no longer popular in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu,” says the economist.
The book was launched at MIDS on Monday by R Radhakrishnan, Chairman, MIDS and the first copy was received by HBN Shetty, Managing Trustee, Malcolm – Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust, Chennai. The book was published by MIDS along with Kalachuvadu Publications. Prior to this book Neelakandan authored Oru Nagaramum Oru Gramamum.
During the event the book was reviewed by C Thangamuthu, former Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University. In his address he said, “History of economic thoughts is a fundamental subject that every economist must know. But today, the subject has disappeared from Economics, both in under graduation and post graduation. And this has happened only in Tamil Nadu. In Delhi and other major universities, numerous researches have been carried out on this topic,” he said.
The speciality of this book is, it has very personal informations about the economists, which lacks in other economic history books. For instance, Adam Smith who is considered as ‘Father of Economics’ was abducted at age four by gypsies. David Ricardo, who is popular for his theories of wages and profits, was the third son to his father among 17 children and who shared his assets to three sons more than what he gave his five daughters. The book also has historical references such as Darwin’s Evolution Theory which was based on Malthusian Theory. The book picturises the economic history of Europe during the same period, since most of the economic philosophies emerged from the continent.
Neelakandan told City Express, “During my college days, I couldn’t find a single book on classical-political Economics in Tamil . To pass on the history of Economics to the general public I took up this work.”
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