B20 - History of Economic Thought since 1925: GeneralNávrat zpět

The topic of this study is historical analysis of the construction of the Czech railway network and the role of the state in its development in comparison with economic thought of the time. The aim of this study is to present relations between the development of theoretical economic foundations and the actual railway construction in the Czech lands from the middle of the 19^th to the beginning of the 20^th century. During this time, the railway network was constructed in the shape it functions until these days. The topic is examined as a historical sequence of interactions between actual railway construction and operation and economic opinions regarding the role of the state in construction and running of railways. The history of the relationship between the state and the railway went through a few periods differing in the approach of the state to ownership and operation. We can trace the private beginnings from the 1830s, to first state railways from 1841 to 1848, to privatization and indirect state subsidies, to the victorious definite idea of solely state railways in the last third of the 19^th century. The study follows detailed discussions of the era together with connections to economic thought of the era.

Teachings of economic policy were present at the VŠE from its inception in 1953 needless to say that most activities were highly influenced by the ruling political climate. Despite all limitations there were some achievements of value, esp. works of prof. Olšovský and his team in 50s and early 60s. Till the economic reform of Ota Šik was real engagement people from the VŠE in economic policy limited (Kurt Rozsypal arrived to the VŠE years after his reform was already enacted). 70s were again years of high political infl uence characterized by creation of Institute of Marxism-Leninism where consisting of all original social science departments. 80s were characterized by the hidden duality of teaching when dominating teachings of political economy of socialism was supplemented by teachings of political economy of capitalism mostly in a guise of history of economic theories. In 90s a full renaissance of economic policy as a subject followed.

This paper starts with discussion about enhanced and frequently used conceptions of free markets, market failures and market primacy. There are pointed some simplifications due to the man should be prospective while using them, especially in applied economics. We have no positive definition of a free market and it is not clear, how often and if any we can observe such market about us. Troubles with market failures are derived from different meanings in different schools of economic thought. The market primacy is an abstract concept more than historical fact. Because of such difficulties the paper is inscribed to institutional alternative which is able to evolve complex research of institutions and to involve useful aspects of neoclassical economics. Useful ground for this analysis is institutional individualism which defines program for research of institutional framework of economy.

This paper describes the main theoretical concepts of the competition, which is thought to be the fundamental social process in the economy. The protection of competition (or the competition policy) is the one of the most important parts of economic policy, because the competition ensures the freedom of choice. The theory of competition provides large number of assumptions, which were developed within the frame of various economic schools and approaches. This paper starts with the description of the history of competition policy before the coming of Adam Smith. In the middle part of the work there have been formulated basic ideological theses about economic policy. Represented are, for example, the Classics, Ordo-liberalism or Neo-austrian School. Paper is finalized by the major theses of the Harvard and Chicago school.

The Council of Economic Experts and its influence on the German economic policy are discussed in this paper. The first section concentrates on the institutional background and historical genesis of this body. Consequently, the importance of the Council in preventing a competitive and efficient economic order in the ordoliberal point of view is considered. The second section offers a comparative analysis of economic policy consultancy. Some significant institutional aspects of the German Council of Economic Experts, the US Council of Economic Advisers and the French Conseil d'Analyse Économique are examined.

Freiburg school of ordoliberalism contributions to the modern economic thinking and some of its implications for post-war economic and social policy in West Germany are discussed in this paper. After explaining some elementary terms there is a short excursion in the economic history and external conditions. Part four discusses the importance of competition for both a dynamic and stabile economic growth performance and long-lasting balance in society, followed by a description of the basic premises of the competitive order - the constitutive principles and the regulatory principles preserving the competition and balance in long-run period. The role of state, science and the churches in creating and influencing both the order of economy and society is the theme of part five. Social market economy arising from the ordoliberal theoretical conception is discussed in part six.