Anwar Shaikh (economist)
Anwar Shaikh is a Pakistani-American economist known for his contributions to heterodox economics, particularly in the areas of classical political economy, Marxian economics, and the empirical analysis of capitalist dynamics. He is currently a Professor of Economics at The New School for Social Research in New York City.
Shaikh's work is characterized by a rigorous application of mathematical and statistical methods to the analysis of real-world economic phenomena, challenging mainstream neoclassical assumptions. He is recognized for his research on topics such as:
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Real Competition: Shaikh's theory of real competition emphasizes the role of cost differentials and entrepreneurial rivalry in driving prices and profitability in capitalist markets. It contrasts with neoclassical models that often rely on assumptions of perfect competition or monopolistic competition.
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Turbulent Regulation: This concept highlights the endogenous and cyclical nature of regulation in capitalist economies. Shaikh argues that periods of deregulation and reregulation are driven by the inherent contradictions and instability of the system.
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Growth, Distribution, and Cycles: Shaikh has extensively studied the long-run patterns of economic growth, income distribution, and business cycles, developing models that integrate these aspects of capitalist development.
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The Law of Value: Shaikh defends the relevance of the labor theory of value as a tool for understanding the underlying drivers of prices and profits, even in complex capitalist economies.
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Globalization and International Trade: Shaikh has critically examined the effects of globalization and international trade on national economies, focusing on issues such as wage inequality and trade imbalances.
Shaikh is the author of several books and numerous articles, including "Capitalism: Competition, Conflict, Crises" (Oxford University Press, 2016), which provides a comprehensive account of his theoretical and empirical work. He is considered a leading figure in contemporary Marxian economics and a prominent critic of mainstream economic theory. His work has influenced a wide range of scholars and activists interested in understanding the dynamics of capitalism and its social consequences.