Economics and Rhetoric: the Brazilian Chapter

Vol. 26 No. 1 (2006)

Jan-Mar / 2006
Published March 27, 2020
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))

How to Cite

Paulani, Leda Maria. 2006. “Economics and Rhetoric: The Brazilian Chapter”. Brazilian Journal of Political Economy 26 (1):3-22. https://centrodeeconomiapolitica.org.br/repojs/index.php/journal/article/view/587.

Economics and Rhetoric: the Brazilian Chapter

Leda Maria Paulani
Professora do Departamento de Economia da FEA/USP
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 26 No. 1 (2006), Jan-Mar / 2006, Pages 3-22

Abstract

Considering the rise of the discussion about the rhetoric of economics at the beginning of the 1980’s, the paper aims to show: 1) the relation between the origin of this issue in the academic field and the ascension of the so labeled “neoliberalism” as a doctrine and a collection of capitalist practices perceived at the same time; and 2) the consequences produced by this idea, overseas born, when it meets a peripherical reality like the Brazilian one. In the first case, we are going to show the importance of Hayek’s reflections about the inadequateness of neoclassical discourse to the aim of ideologically legitimate the market society. In the second we are going to point out that, taking the consequences of the rhetoric project in Brazil, it can be seeing as an additional chapter of “the ideas out of its place” that comes marking the Brazilian history of the ideas.

JEL Classification: A11; A12; B41.


Keywords: rhetoric economics Hayek neoliberalism peripherical capitalism