================= HES POSTING ================= The comments that follow are relevant to the three editorials we have recently had on this list. As a member of the committee to select the best paper published in the history of economic thought in 1995, I had to read and evaluate many essays. Jeff Biddle, Bo Sockwell and I did not start out with a formal list of criteria, but one emerged as we went through the piles. The articles considered by the committee represented a wide range of topics and approaches to the history of economic thought, and were in many ways difficult to compare. Of course, we sought a paper that made an original contribution to the discourse in the history of economic thought. Other characteristics we looked for depended in part on the topic or approach and included: A. potential relevance to a wide range of researchers or more than one research area in the history of economic thought B. clear and bold thesis C. significant comparisons D. attention to economic, cultural and social context of the time period E. innovative research methods using materials beyond the classic texts, including correspondence and archival material F. engaging style We did not expect to find all these qualities in one paper, but we were disappointed that so many papers had few, if any of these qualities. The experience made me realize that a lot of what is published in our field is boring, rarely history, and casts little light on economic theory and policy. I do not think social context is either a necessary or a sufficient condition for a good essay in the history of economics (as I recall one of our top three choices had a significant and provoking thesis statement, but little or no context), but context helps to take us to a higher plane of synthesis and evaluation. The ironies, analogies, and stories are richer with context and the lessons are often more enlightening. I think this is aided as well by the use of materials beyond the published text. I personally started out with just the texts, but what I now enjoy and find most revealing are the interdisciplinary juxtapositions, the broad empirical reflections, the economic history that accompanies the history of economics and the spirits that I bring to life when I read a letter, or even a dusty ledger, that has lain dormant for decades. > ______________________________________________________ -- Judy Klein Professor of Economics Mary Baldwin College Staunton, VA 24401 [log in to unmask] ============ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ============ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]