Aggregates and Methodological Individualism: A Relational Approach
New Perspectives on Political Economy 9(1) 2013: 5-28
32 Pages Posted: 7 Sep 2012 Last revised: 16 Aug 2014
Date Written: September 1, 2011
Abstract
Methodological individualism, coupled with radical subjectivity, leads naturally to skepticism regarding the objective theoretical value of economic aggregates. I restate the role of aggregates in the methodological individualist paradigm, focusing on the Austrian tradition, in a way consistent with Hodgson’s (2007) critique and emphasize belief and meaning as the relevant channel through which these aggregates operate. Viewing aggregates this way leads to a relational approach which is consistent with formulations made by scholars working within in the methodological individualist paradigm and answers Hodgson’s call for recognition of the importance of interactive relations between individuals.
Keywords: methodological individualism, aggregation, subjectivism, belief, meaning, Austrian economics
JEL Classification: B4, B53
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation