John Commons American economist, proponent of institutional theory Date of Birth: 13.10.1862 Country: USA

Biography of John Rogers Commons

John Rogers Commons was an American economist and supporter of institutional theory. He was born in 1862 in Hollansburg, Ohio, USA, into a family with roots dating back to the reign of Queen Mary of England. His father, a former Quaker, was an adventurous and daring entrepreneur who sold his businesses multiple times to start new ones. At one point, he even bought a newspaper, where young Commons learned the printing trade and worked for some time.

Commons' mother was a remarkable woman who skillfully managed the family's finances. It was she who convinced her son to attend Oberlin College, hoping that he would become a minister. His education at Oberlin and later at Johns Hopkins University proved to be transformative for the young and independent-minded Commons. It was during this time that he realized his vision of the world often differed from those around him. He learned to listen to his own opinions, analyze them, and independently discover and establish facts and their relationships. Notably, his mentor at Johns Hopkins University was Professor Richard T. Ely, whom Commons saw as a kindred spirit.

After briefly teaching at the University of Wisconsin, Commons returned to Oberlin and began teaching there. He later became a professor of political economy at Indiana University. Throughout his career, Commons pondered whether religion could be a suitable tool for social progress. During this period, he joined the American Institute of Christian Sociology and wrote the book "Social Reform and the Church."

In 1907, Commons published his book "Races and Immigrants in America," and one of his most famous works was "History of Labor in the United States." He focused his research on collective institutions such as corporate unions, labor unions, and political parties. He articulated his theory and views on the development of these movements in works such as "Legal Foundations of Capitalism" and "Institutional Economics."

Towards the end of his life, Commons wrote his renowned book "The Economics of Collective Action." With this book, he believed he had finally explained to economists what he had been trying to do for many years. He emphasized the search for compromise between organized labor and big capital, seeking ways to reconcile economic contradictions through collective action. Commons firmly believed in the necessity of government reforms, which would make leaders of social organizations and institutions influential forces in the country's government and political life. He advocated for a government composed of representatives from various collective institutions that would reflect the interests of all social and professional groups.

As a proponent of reform, Commons gained numerous followers and supporters. A great economist and advocate of institutional theory, John Commons lived until the age of 82, passing away on May 11, 1945.