Early neoclassical/mathematical economics was originally labelled 'social physics' because it copied Newtonian mechanics and swapped the concept of energy for utility; and contrary to leftwing caricature, many early neoclassicists were socialists, so neoclassicism is best understood as a methodology rather than an inherently right-wing doctrine.

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Speaker

Abby Innes

Evidence Quote

an early name, a kind of early label for neocclassical economics, mathematical economics was social physics

Source

How neoliberalism broke economics | Dr Abby InnesThe Institute of Art and Ideas
Created: 6/18/2026, 1:57:30 PM

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