Subject: | |
From: | |
Date: | Fri Mar 31 17:19:14 2006 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
----------------- HES POSTING -----------------
According to Schumpeter (HEA, chapter 5, part 5, p. 555), Cantillon was the
first economist to use the term "entrepreneur". He was followed by Say, who
stated that the entrepreneurial function is to combine the factors of
production.
Schumpeter criticized Adam Smith and the English economists of the early
nineteenth century for failing to separate the function of the entrepreneur
from that of the capitalist. Blaug has a similar opinion (ETR, 4th edition,
chapter 11).
However, Pesciarelli argues convincingly that the concept of the
entrepreneur can be found in the Wealth of Nations (see his article in HOPE,
v. 21(3), 1989). He also compares the contrasting views of Smith - the
entrepreneur as "a common type, widespread in society" - and Bentham - the
entrepreneur as "a minority in society, a man who is above the common herd
of the people".
Casson's introduction to the volume organized by him (_Entrepreneurship_,
Edward Elgar, 1990) provides a brief review of the meanings of the term in
modern economic theory.
Hugo Cerqueira
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------
For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]
|
|
|