赫維茨的經(jīng)濟思想譜系及其方法論

摘要： 赫維茨所開創(chuàng)的機制設(shè)計理論是對新古典經(jīng)濟學(xué)的發(fā)展與突破,觸發(fā)了現(xiàn)代經(jīng)濟學(xué)隨后幾十年的繁榮,其衍生成果推動了成熟市場經(jīng)濟國家的經(jīng)濟發(fā)展,研究并挖掘其經(jīng)濟思想譜系及方法論,對新時期中國經(jīng)濟學(xué)的創(chuàng)新發(fā)展及深化以市場為導(dǎo)向的改革開放有重要現(xiàn)實意義。文章一方面將赫維茨的經(jīng)濟思想置入20世紀中后期現(xiàn)代經(jīng)濟學(xué)的整體發(fā)展脈絡(luò)中去考察,并解構(gòu)其思想譜系中的主要元素,另一方面從其學(xué)術(shù)成長軌跡與經(jīng)濟研究成果出發(fā),探究赫維茨經(jīng)濟學(xué)研究方法論的邏輯要義與主要特征。研究發(fā)現(xiàn):(1)赫維茨經(jīng)濟思想譜系中內(nèi)含經(jīng)濟自由、分散決策、信息效率、激勵相容等基本要素,這些也是現(xiàn)代化經(jīng)濟體系的重要特征。(2)赫維茨在方法上注重邏輯推理重于歷史歸納,從整體著眼、從個體著手揭示邏輯機理,致力于用公理化數(shù)學(xué)分析工具對理論進行邏輯論證。對于當(dāng)下中國,赫維茨經(jīng)濟思想的現(xiàn)實意義在于從提升信息有效性和激勵相容性的角度,為銜接好頂層設(shè)計與基層摸索,及平衡好政府與市場之間的關(guān)系提供了啟示,其中也蘊藏著經(jīng)濟理論創(chuàng)新的豐富空間。
The mechanism design theory founded by Hurwicz is the inheritance and development of neoclassical economics. Hurwicz's research did not deviate from Eggertsson's statement of the hard core of neoclassical economics,but there were new developments in the theoretical framework and research methods by Hurwicz. On the one hand,he broke the old thinking framework that regarded system and mechanism as exogenous and nonadjustable variables. He introduced mechanism design into economic analysis,which deepened the understanding of the essence,change and choice of institution. On the other hand,he introduced game theory,a tool of mathematical analysis,into the study of market economy theory,especially the process of economic exchange and the theory of economic resource allocation. Although the core of game theory is still the utility maximization of rational economic man based on individual standard advocated by neoclassical economics,it also reveals the potential damage to the overall utility caused by the promotion of individual rationality lacking the spirit of cooperation. The economic theory innovation of Hurwicz is of great practical significance to the innovation and development of economics in China and the deepening of the market-oriented reform and opening-up in the new era.This paper provides the following conclusions through a literature survey of Hurwicz's writings. Firstly,the mechanism design theory originated from the controversy over plan and market in the 1920 s and 1930 s and gradually extended to the core proposition of the relationship between government and market. Hurwicz established a pedigree of economic thought with inherent logic incorporating economic freedom,decentralized decision-making,information efficiency and incentive compatibility. Secondly,Hurwicz's economic methodology focuses on the axiomatic logical analysis method of deductive reasoning. That is to say,it intends to interpret the economic world through functional relationship between digitized economic variables,mathematical logical deduction of axiomatic propositions and the equilibrium state in mechanical sense,emphasizes logical deduction over historical induction in research,reveals the logical mechanism from both holistic and individual points of view,and thus demonstrates the mechanism optimization of the real world.To sum it up,this paper extends the existing researches from three aspects. Firstly,it investigates Hurwicz's economic thought in the context of the overall development of modern economics in the middle and late 20 th century,and deconstructs the core propositions and basic elements in the pedigree of his thought.Secondly,it captures the logical substance and main characteristics of Hurwicz's economic research methodology through a review of his academic track and achievements. Thirdly,based on the analysis of Hurwicz's economic thought pedigree and its methodology,this paper sums up the implications for China's further promotion of economic theory innovation and market-oriented reform deepening.