Inequality, poverty and the commitment of the economists

Abstract

Problems like poverty, inequality and wealth distribution have been present ever since political economy was born. Classics, Socialists and Keynesians did not ignore their intellectual responsibilities and these themes were often present in their books. Other theoretical paradigms (like the Neoclassical or Monetarist ones) more often than not seem to forget these topics and the social responsibilities of the economists. In the late nineteenth century, the Marginal Revolution meant a profound methodological and epistemological change. The aim of the present paper is to discuss the importance of that change, to reflect upon the social responsibilities of the economists, and to advocate for a stronger commitment of economists to the solution to the economic problems of our society.