The applicability of critical realism to Marxian economics

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K01572
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 07020:Economic doctrines and economic thought-related
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Oki Kosuke 香川大学, 経済学部, 教授 (60361581)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: マルクス経済学 / 批判的実在論 / 経済学方法論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of critical realism to Marxian economics. Critical realism serves as a powerful theoretical tool in social science, enabling the analysis of underlying structures and mechanisms that shape observable phenomena. In particular, we reassessed its role in Marxian economics, focusing on its potential to explain changes in economic structures and the reproduction of social relations, while striving to develop a more refined theoretical framework.
The progress of our research was hindered by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, restrictions on face-to-face academic exchanges and challenges in collecting materials both domestically and internationally caused delays in our work. Nevertheless, despite these obstacles, we were able to strengthen the foundation of our study through online discussions and extensive literature reviews.

Free Research Field

理論経済学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、批判的実在論の視点からマルクス経済学の理論枠組みを再検討し、その適用可能性を探究した点にある。従来の議論を批判的に整理し、新たな解釈の枠組みを提示することで、理論の発展に寄与した。また、日本資本主義論争における再生産論の限界を明らかにすることで、経済構造の変動と社会関係の再生産に関する理解を深化させた。
社会的意義としては、現代社会における経済的・社会的課題への応用可能性が挙げられる。批判的実在論のアプローチを活用することで、経済格差や社会変動の分析に新たな視座を提供し、持続可能な社会の構築に向けた理論的基盤の強化に貢献できる。