Maurice Herbert Dobb
Great Britain- Early Life and Education
- Academic Career
- Political Involvement
- Economic Contributions
- Publications and Influence
- Legacy
Early Life and Education
British economist Maurice Dobb, a Marxist, was born on July 24, 1900, in London. In 1919, he became a scholar at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, initially studying history. However, he switched to economics after his first year and excelled, earning first-class honors in both parts of the Cambridge economics examinations in 1921 and 1922.
Academic Career
After completing his PhD at the London School of Economics, Dobb returned to Cambridge and became a lecturer in 1924. He faced challenges due to his affiliation with Marxism and rumors about his divorce. In 1948, he was elected a Fellow of Trinity College, a position he held for the rest of his life. In 1959, he was appointed as a university Reader.
Political Involvement
Dobb joined the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) in 1920 and became a prominent figure. He suspectedly recruited potential agents for the Comintern. Kim Philby, a prominent British spy later revealed to be a Soviet agent, was among his followers.
Economic Contributions
Dobb's economic work focused on interpreting neoclassical economic theory from a Marxist perspective. He criticized capitalist, planned socialist, and market socialist models for relying on the neoclassical concept of economic equilibrium. He argued that these models neglected the importance of dynamic aspects of production and investment.
Publications and Influence
Dobb's writings were translated worldwide. His "Introduction to Economics" was published in Spanish by the renowned Mexican publishing house "Fondo de Cultura Económica" and went through over 10 editions. His work emphasized the importance of coordination, external effects, and variables in planning.
Legacy
Maurice Dobb passed away on August 17, 1976, at the age of 76. His contributions to Marxist economics and his involvement in the communist movement left a lasting impact on the field.
