by Pribram
[Title Page and Publication Information]: Title pages and publication details for Karl Pribram's inaugural lecture at the University of Frankfurt in 1928, titled 'International Economic Policy and International Social Policy'. [I. Introduction: The Divergence of Economic and Social Policy]: Pribram introduces the 1927 Geneva World Economic Conference as a starting point to analyze the philosophical roots of international policy. He argues that international economic policy and international social policy derive from different socio-philosophical foundations, specifically examining how they interact with liberal individualism and the tension between state sovereignty and cosmopolitanism. [II. Philosophical Foundations of International Economic Policy]: The author explores how international economic policy shifted from classical harmony-of-interests to a utilitarian framework necessitated by state sovereignty. He discusses the limitations of the League of Nations Covenant and the 1927 Conference's reliance on 'well-understood interest' rather than absolute moral norms, noting the inclusion of different economic systems like the Soviet Union. [III. Economic Equilibrium and World Economy Structure]: Pribram analyzes the evolution of economic 'equilibrium' concepts from mercantilism to modern business cycle theory. He argues that a true international economic policy requires viewing national economies as integrated parts of a world economy subject to cyclical waves and structural changes (like overseas industrialization), rather than just temporary post-war disruptions. [IV. Philosophical Foundations of International Social Policy]: In contrast to economic policy's utilitarianism, Pribram describes international social policy as being rooted in absolute ethical norms and 'social justice'. He references Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles and the ILO, noting that social policy views the protection of workers as a moral duty that transcends simple national interest or competitive advantage. [V. The Mechanistic View of Social Policy and its Limitations]: Pribram critiques social policy for retaining a 'mechanistic' view of the economy, assuming that markets automatically adjust to social mandates like the eight-hour day. He argues that by ignoring cyclical economic phases and world-economic interdependencies, social policy often fails to solve large-scale problems like unemployment or wage levels effectively. [VI. Conclusion: National Mentalities and the Path to Understanding]: The final section contrasts different national approaches to international problems: the Anglo-Saxon focus on pragmatic individual cases, the French preference for unified principles, and the German systematic-methodical approach. Pribram concludes that international understanding requires nations to learn to think in the categories of a unified world economy.
Title pages and publication details for Karl Pribram's inaugural lecture at the University of Frankfurt in 1928, titled 'International Economic Policy and International Social Policy'.
Read full textPribram introduces the 1927 Geneva World Economic Conference as a starting point to analyze the philosophical roots of international policy. He argues that international economic policy and international social policy derive from different socio-philosophical foundations, specifically examining how they interact with liberal individualism and the tension between state sovereignty and cosmopolitanism.
Read full textThe author explores how international economic policy shifted from classical harmony-of-interests to a utilitarian framework necessitated by state sovereignty. He discusses the limitations of the League of Nations Covenant and the 1927 Conference's reliance on 'well-understood interest' rather than absolute moral norms, noting the inclusion of different economic systems like the Soviet Union.
Read full textPribram analyzes the evolution of economic 'equilibrium' concepts from mercantilism to modern business cycle theory. He argues that a true international economic policy requires viewing national economies as integrated parts of a world economy subject to cyclical waves and structural changes (like overseas industrialization), rather than just temporary post-war disruptions.
Read full textIn contrast to economic policy's utilitarianism, Pribram describes international social policy as being rooted in absolute ethical norms and 'social justice'. He references Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles and the ILO, noting that social policy views the protection of workers as a moral duty that transcends simple national interest or competitive advantage.
Read full textPribram critiques social policy for retaining a 'mechanistic' view of the economy, assuming that markets automatically adjust to social mandates like the eight-hour day. He argues that by ignoring cyclical economic phases and world-economic interdependencies, social policy often fails to solve large-scale problems like unemployment or wage levels effectively.
Read full textThe final section contrasts different national approaches to international problems: the Anglo-Saxon focus on pragmatic individual cases, the French preference for unified principles, and the German systematic-methodical approach. Pribram concludes that international understanding requires nations to learn to think in the categories of a unified world economy.
Read full text