14-01-2021: Collective ownership of the means of production
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The diversity of ownership forms has always fascinated the economists. The present column first describes several principles of property. Next an analysis is presented for three basic forms of ownership within the enterprise. The case of the production cooperation is studied in detail. Finally the social property is studied, such as is present in Leninism. The Leninist enterprise is modelled mathematically .... Read more
28-12-2020: Power models and practice
Author: E.A. Bakkum
It becomes increasingly common in economics to complement the traditional neoclassical paradign with models of human behaviour, such as power politics. The present column describes two models, where the tournament is combined with rent seeking. They are placed in the context of the revolt theory of J.S. Coleman. Furthermore, tournaments with immaterial (ideological) bonuses are discussed, similar to the proposal by D. Pels and the habit in Leninism .... Read more
15-12-2020: Models of power
Author: E.A. Bakkum
Group power plays an important role in economic systems. The present column presents three models of the abuse of power. First, the power distribution in networks is analyzed. It turns out that in bilateral exchange processes the power is determined by the position in the network. Next, the theory of rent seeking behaviour by interest groups is addressed. The goal is to redistribute the incomes. Finally, the theory of the tournament as a source of rewards is studied. The tournament can increase the motivation of risk-neutral workers, such as management .... Read more
30-11-2020: Models in the new institutional economics
Author: E.A. Bakkum
This column again presents several interesting models of new institutional economics. First the repeated game of the prisoners is analyzed. Next a model is presented, which takes into account the search costs on the market. Also useful are models, which describe the maintenance of norms. And finally the principal-agent model is again discussed. The used abstractions of human nature are tested with insights from psychology .... Read more
15-11-2020: Christian-democratic views on the general interest (2)
Author: E.A. Bakkum
In this column the present-day christian-democracy is studied. As a reminder the political philosophy of the state is summarized again. It is compared with the evolutionary institutionalism, which is now also applied in economics. Then the hallmarks of christian politics until the formation of the CDA are sketched. Against this background the ideas of five christian writers are discussed, namely H.M. de Lange, C. Huijsen, A. Rouvoet, J.P. Balkenende, and S. Buma. An evaluation concludes the column .... Read more