Theory and ideology in economics: from Adam Smith to Esther Duflo

The article examines the role of ideological concepts and attitudes in economic science present in explicit or implicit forms. The article scope is ideology and its impact on economic science, which is traditionally considered as objective and independent from subjective ideological attitudes. Economists formulate ideological concepts that are reflected in social, political and socio-economic life and, in turn, are influenced by similar ideas. Theoretical analysis of the role of ideological concepts and attitudes in economic research has shown that in economic science ideology can be present in explicit or implicit forms and can influence economists’ mindset and development of economic policies. The authors explore the ideological component of the process of choosing theoretical prerequisites in economic sciences within the framework of D. North's theory, which defines ideology through the presence of three components: (1) groups of individuals; (2) mental models that individuals use; (3) the way positive and normative knowledge on the world around, economy in particular, is formed through these mental models. Based on D. North's approach to ideology, the article identifies widespread theoretical narratives as the dominant economic ideologies, which reflect the entire spectrum of relevant socio-economic interactions: neoliberalism, socialism, dirigism, a special path and environmentalism. The explicit acceptance of the premise of the importance of ideology in a positive and normative economy allows us to direct efforts to research and discuss the content and influence of certain ideological attitudes on the development of science itself and how the ideologized theories of economists influence the evolution of economic orders.

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