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Formalism: economic theory (not applied economics, not macroeconomics)  
surely did develop an obsession with formal proofs which sets it apart  
from most other subjects. There are predecessors, from Cournot on, but  
the big impetus surely came from the literature on existence of  
equilibrium which Roy himself chronicled. My impression is that this  
movement is past its peak. Twenty years ago, graduate students used to  
be drilled in existence theorems and the like - does anybody still do  
that now?  
 
Revolution: is a common English word with a rather broad meaning. In  
general usage it means 'big change' or 'fairly big change' or 'I'm  
being paid to advertise this useless product, so I'm desperate to catch  
your attention somehow'. I don't think Roy can claim ownership of it.  
If you want to use it with some more specific meaning which it has been  
given in some particular strand of literature, then you ought to say so  
explicitly, not criticize others for using it in their preferred way. 
---------------------- 
Tony Brewer ([log in to unmask]) 
University of Bristol, Department of Economics 
8 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1TN, England 
Phone (+44/0)117 928 8428 
Fax (+44/0)117 928 8577 
 
 
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