Edward J. Nell

Edward J. Nell (born July 16, 1935) is an American economist and a former professor at the New School for Social Research. Nell was a member of the New School faculty from 1969 to 2014. He achieved the rank of Malcolm B. Smith Professor of Economics in 1990.

Nell's contributions are in the fields of macroeconomic theory, monetary analysis and finance, economic methodology and philosophy, and development. His articles on economic theory and methodology have appeared in leading journals like the American Economic Review, the Journal of Political Economy, the Journal of Economic Literature, Cambridge Journal of Economics, Eastern Economic Journal, Review of Political Economy, Economic Development and Cultural Change, Analysis, and Social Research.

Nell is known for his critical view of the methodological and philosophical foundations of neoclassical economics, examined in his best known book ''Rational Economic Man'' (Cambridge University Press, 1975) and coauthored with English rationalist philosopher Martin Hollis. Nell is also the originator of the General Theory of 'Transformational Growth'. The full development of the General Theory of Transformational Growth came in the 90s, and was published as The ''General Theory of Transformational Growth'' (Cambridge University Press, 1998). The methodology/philosophy which underlies the Theory of Transformational Growth is a form of realism, based on filling in 'conceptual truths' by doing fieldwork and then building models of solidly based institutionally grounded relationships. Provided by Wikipedia