At a higher degree of abstraction, there is the question of common characteristics of the two systems

Bernard Chavance’s lecture at the launch of the new book titled Systems, Institutions and Values in East and West Engaging withJános Kornai’s Scholarship2

Abstract

It is a pleasure to introduce the discussion about the book ‘Engaging with János K o r n a i ’s Scholarship’, which gives a glimpse of the variety of topics in his extensive life work. I shall focus on a theme that is underlined in the title and runs across most contributions, the system paradigm. Kornai’s contribution is essential and unique here. It combines history and theory, in the perspective of ‘histoire raisonnée’ that Schumpeter saw in Marx. It is centered on economic systems, but the question of the role of polity in these economic systems has been broadened in recent works.