Abstract

Thomas Carlyle is commonly remembered as the arch-nemesis of economics. However, Carlyle’s ideas in fact had a considerable influence among economists in Australia and New Zealand. Indeed, an array of Australasian economists cited Carlyle in criticising self-interest, laissez-faire, and materialism, in suggesting that economic science ought to accord greater importance to ethical factors, and in urging the “Captains of Industry” and the State to exercise paternal guidance over the working classes. In short, Carlyle’s writings shaped Australasian economists’ understanding, portrayal, and critique of the previous generation of so-called “old” economists, as well as their self-understanding as self-professed “new” economists.

摘要

托马斯卡莱尔通常被认为是经济学的死敌。然而，卡莱尔的思想实际上在澳大利亚和新西兰的经济学家中产生了相当大的影响。事实上，许多澳大利亚经济学家引用了卡莱尔批评自利、自由放任和唯物主义，建议经济科学应该更加重视伦理因素，并敦促“工业领袖”和国家行使对工人阶级的父亲式指导。简而言之，卡莱尔的著作塑造了澳大利亚经济学家对上一代所谓“老”经济学家的理解、描绘和批评，以及他们自称为“新”经济学家的自我理解。