Stephen LeacockView profile
Professor
Stephen Leacock (1869–1944) was a prominent Canadian economist and humorist affiliated with McGill University. He held a PhD in political economy from the University of Chicago and taught at McGill, focusing on political economy, social justice, and economic policy. His work critiqued mainstream economics, advocating for state intervention in distribution while preserving market freedoms in production. Key contributions include The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice (1920), which proposed social welfare reforms, and Plan to Relieve the Depression (1933), addressing economic recovery. Leacock’s Hellements of Hickonomics (1936) humorously critiqued economic methodology. His ideas on Empire unity and tariffs reflected his belief in collective economic strategies. Despite his academic rigor, his humorous style overshadowed his scholarly work, leading to underappreciation in later decades. Leacock’s research spanned income inequality, monetary policy, and imperialism, with writings influenced by John Stuart Mill and Thorstein Veblen. He emphasized redistribution via taxation and public works, arguing for full employment as a societal obligation. His critique of mathematical economics in unpublished works highlighted concerns over quantitative approaches to human behavior. Key Works: The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice , Plan to Relieve the Depression , Economic Prosperity in the British Empire Influences: Mill, Veblen Innovations: Basic Needs Approach (pre-World Bank), Empire economic integration
