<p>Government behavior/actions play a big role in economics, but economic study certainly isn't constrained by "arbitrary" political forces.  As @dismalscience pointed out in his comment, the existence of black markets points towards the drive towards a market-based system no matter the laws or political systems of a given country.  Rather than picture economics as a derivative of a set of laws, picture the laws and political systems as being constructs to help shape the underlying economic system (to correct market failures, etc.).  The goal and job of those that study economics is to help explain how all of these moving forces interact with one another.</p>

<p>Also, in the comments it is asked why we need economic theory to set prices if it is achievable through "common sense."  We don't need economic theory necessarily to set the price, but rather to understand why the price is set, what led to a given price, and how might the price change in the future.  The example used of grocery store prices was used for simplicity, but certainly you could imagine far more complex economic interactions where a solid economic theory would come in quite useful (think international trade, wall street, the labor market of the EU, etc.).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T12:24:56.957Z
2016-08-01T12:24:56.957Z
bappers2
<p>Your last question actually hits at the heart of modern econometrics. For too long, econometrics was almost exclusively theoretical. And sure, theoretical innovation is essential to the field, but independent quantitative analysis is also crucial. The current solution, still in its development, is automated general-to-specific modeling. Using algorithms, econometricians embed theoretical insights from every theoretical background, as well as variables that may not have been previously considered. Then, the relevance of each is tested automatically to high statistical standards. </p>

<p>The results are fascinating. In 2001, David Hendry used this method to analyze inflation in the UK from 1875 to 1991. Incredibly, he found empirical support for excess demand, monetary theory, cost push, mark-up, and others. Even so, all of the specified theories combined couldn't completely account for the greatest incidents of inflation in the UK. As I understand it, this is the kind of economic analysis that you were looking for. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-02T11:10:20.920Z
"For too long, econometrics was almost exclusively theoretical" ? Could you please support this claim by a link or some explanation? Perhaps it is true but I find surprising.
Giskard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T23:19:47.710Z
2016-08-01T23:19:47.710Z
Dawson A. Verley
<p>To support my belief in the arbitrariness of economic theory and thought, since different economic systems have their own rules, theories etc., which contradict the rules of other systems and which most of I think are authoritarian (because they're enforced over groups using politics),</p>

<p>does there exist school(s) of economic thought that is about "no economics" or "no economic theory"? Or perhaps no economics in the sense that "all economic theories (e.g. capitalist, communist ...) at the same time".</p>

<p>Or in other words, is there economic theory that's non-political, i.e. does not require politics for functioning?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-31T14:53:10.140Z
I would note simply that exchange (and prices) appear in all political systems, even those that are openly hostile to such activity (take, for example, the rise of "black market" exchange in literally every communist country in history). This should be a hint to you that the premise that all economic theory is inextricably bound to some arbitrary system that is (in an effective manner) enforced through politics is false. Indeed, most economic work is not about or determined by political systems of organization at all.
dismalscience
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-31T16:26:55.003Z
@dismalscience Then what's the purpose of economics if it's non-political? What can it do?
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-31T20:12:42.990Z
If you want to know what economics can do, take a look at your electricity bill or go to your grocery store. Do you think politics has anything to do with how much you are charged, and what products are on offer?
rocinante
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T06:25:51.240Z
@rocinante But how much proper economic theory does one need to be able to set prices and pay them, or trade? Isn't it achievable even with common sense? So what is economic theory for then? This is still in the context of my question, since here we see(?) that economics can function with "no (political) economics".
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T17:19:40.753Z
@mavavilj I don't think you understand "common sense" or what it takes to price products and services, determine supply chains, etc.
rocinante
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-02T07:06:56.880Z
What's unclear about the question?
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-02T11:08:23.513Z
@mavavilj For example (but just an example, there are other very vague parts) you use a lot quotes. That usually signals this is not exactly what you "mean" but you expect the reader to know what you "mean". Perhaps think about it, and than edit your question to make it a lot clearer, so that my grandmama who has not read the same articles and books and did not have the same conversations that you have could understand it?
Giskard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-03T10:40:46.443Z
@mavavilj After the edit your question became even more vague for me, as most quantitative economic theories are non-political. (But they can be used to describe politico-economic phenomena.)
Giskard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-03T10:57:07.023Z
@denesp But are they not applied politically? I.e. they can and people can function under them without politics? Then these would count as non-political economics theory.
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-03T12:45:50.653Z
@mavavilj Is there non-political toothpaste? I.e. can people function and live without politics just using toothpaste? Perhaps, but this is a question about politics (and how you define politics). As I said, economics is quite distinct.
Giskard
<theory>
Are there strains of economics that are "no (political) economics"?
mavavilj
# Are there strains of economics that are "no (political) economics"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-07-31)

To support my belief in the arbitrariness of economic theory and thought, since different economic systems have their own rules, theories etc., which contradict the rules of other systems and which most of I think are authoritarian (because they're enforced over groups using politics),

does there exist school(s) of economic thought that is about "no economics" or "no economic theory"? Or perhaps no economics in the sense that "all economic theories (e.g. capitalist, communist ...) at the same time".

Or in other words, is there economic theory that's non-political, i.e. does not require politics for functioning?

**Tags:** theory
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I would note simply that exchange (and prices) appear in all political systems, even those that are openly hostile to such activity (take, for example, the rise of "black market" exchange in literally every communist country in history). This should be a hint to you that the premise that all economic theory is inextricably bound to some arbitrary system that is (in an effective manner) enforced through politics is false. Indeed, most economic work is not about or determined by political systems of organization at all.  
> **username_0**: @dismalscience Then what's the purpose of economics if it's non-political? What can it do?  
> **username_2**: If you want to know what economics can do, take a look at your electricity bill or go to your grocery store. Do you think politics has anything to do with how much you are charged, and what products are on offer?  
> **username_0**: @rocinante But how much proper economic theory does one need to be able to set prices and pay them, or trade? Isn't it achievable even with common sense? So what is economic theory for then? This is still in the context of my question, since here we see(?) that economics can function with "no (political) economics".  
> **username_2**: @mavavilj I don't think you understand "common sense" or what it takes to price products and services, determine supply chains, etc.  
> **username_0**: What's unclear about the question?  
> **username_3**: @mavavilj For example (but just an example, there are other very vague parts) you use a lot quotes. That usually signals this is not exactly what you "mean" but you expect the reader to know what you "mean". Perhaps think about it, and than edit your question to make it a lot clearer, so that my grandmama who has not read the same articles and books and did not have the same conversations that you have could understand it?  
> **username_3**: @mavavilj After the edit your question became even more vague for me, as most quantitative economic theories are non-political. (But they can be used to describe politico-economic phenomena.)  
> **username_0**: @denesp But are they not applied politically? I.e. they can and people can function under them without politics? Then these would count as non-political economics theory.  
> **username_3**: @mavavilj Is there non-political toothpaste? I.e. can people function and live without politics just using toothpaste? Perhaps, but this is a question about politics (and how you define politics). As I said, economics is quite distinct.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-08-01. Score: 1

Government behavior/actions play a big role in economics, but economic study certainly isn't constrained by "arbitrary" political forces. As @dismalscience pointed out in his comment, the existence of black markets points towards the drive towards a market-based system no matter the laws or political systems of a given country. Rather than picture economics as a derivative of a set of laws, picture the laws and political systems as being constructs to help shape the underlying economic system (to correct market failures, etc.). The goal and job of those that study economics is to help explain how all of these moving forces interact with one another.

Also, in the comments it is asked why we need economic theory to set prices if it is achievable through "common sense." We don't need economic theory necessarily to set the price, but rather to understand why the price is set, what led to a given price, and how might the price change in the future. The example used of grocery store prices was used for simplicity, but certainly you could imagine far more complex economic interactions where a solid economic theory would come in quite useful (think international trade, wall street, the labor market of the EU, etc.).


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### Answer by username_5 on 2016-08-01. Score: 0

Your last question actually hits at the heart of modern econometrics. For too long, econometrics was almost exclusively theoretical. And sure, theoretical innovation is essential to the field, but independent quantitative analysis is also crucial. The current solution, still in its development, is automated general-to-specific modeling. Using algorithms, econometricians embed theoretical insights from every theoretical background, as well as variables that may not have been previously considered. Then, the relevance of each is tested automatically to high statistical standards.

The results are fascinating. In 2001, David Hendry used this method to analyze inflation in the UK from 1875 to 1991. Incredibly, he found empirical support for excess demand, monetary theory, cost push, mark-up, and others. Even so, all of the specified theories combined couldn't completely account for the greatest incidents of inflation in the UK. As I understand it, this is the kind of economic analysis that you were looking for.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: "For too long, econometrics was almost exclusively theoretical" ? Could you please support this claim by a link or some explanation? Perhaps it is true but I find surprising.  

---

