Abstract

CASTRILLON, Alberto. MARKET AND VIRTUE OR HOW TO MAKE ECONOMICS COMPLICATED. ABOUT THE PASSIONS AND THE INTERESTS OF ALBERT HIRSCHMAN. Rev.econ.inst. [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.28, pp.79-93. ISSN 0124-5996.

ABSTRACT This article addresses some of the ideas about the intellectual origins of capitalism, discussed in Albert Hirschman's The Passions and the Interests. Montesquieu, James Steuart and Adam Smith saw interest as a sort of benevolent passion that could dominate or keep away evil passions, such as violence or rulers' despotism. For them, the links between trade -and the profit that drives it today- and the progress of civilization were neither a natural law, nor undisputable, as is currently thought.

Keywords : Albert Hirschman; economic thought; origins of capitalism.

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