The HES 2014 Best Article Prize has been awarded to Dotan Leshem for his article “Oikonomia Revisited” (JHET 35:1) which provides a fascinating interpretation of the notion of ‘oikonomia’ in ancient Greek texts. He unpacks the notion of ‘oikonomia’ to distinguish between the excess or abundance that comes from nature and the surplus that may accrue to the household with prudent management, and argues that the ‘good life’ comes from particular uses of that surplus, namely those uses considered wise by that society, rather than pursuit of surplus per se.  The paper offers an enlightening analysis about the ancient economy; but, in raising foundational questions about the nature of economic activity and the role such plays in the larger society, the commentary also incorporates a moral dimension.  It is this moral dimension which provides both broad possibilities for insightful reflections on the economics of other periods and new conceptual resources for understanding the present.

 

Best Article Prize Committee:

 

Mary S. Morgan (Chair)

Vivienne Brown

Carlos Eduardo Suprinyak