In the case of Lange, I do not know that he was radical in style at all. I am not
sure that he got involved in any radical movements & his methodology (as Mirowski
shows) helped to fuel the modern market friendly world we live in today.
Lange was a communist, and I think he's had a bum rap--- just because he demonstrated that neoclassical general equilibrium theory could be hoisted on its own petard. In the very same work in which he did his thing with GE theory, he went on to discuss the process of transition in the following way (quoted from my book, p. 192):
"Thus, Lange (1964: 129) commented that, for an economist called upon to advise a government that wants to do more than administer a capitalist economy, �there exists only one economic policy which he can commend to a socialist government as likely to lead to success. This is a policy of revolutionary courage�."
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at
Residencias Anauco Suites
Departamento 601
Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1
Caracas, Venezuela
(58-212) 573-4111
fax: (58-212) 573-7724
