Sixteen Years of Economia Politica: An Analysis from 1984 to 1999

This paper analyses the underlying principles, the contents and the editorial policy of Economia Politica, the Italian «Journal of Theory and Analysis» established in 1984, and now at its 16th volume. The analysis is «self-contained», i.e. based on a direct quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the articles which have been published, rather than on an evaluation of their «impact-effect», a methodology whose advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Strong peculiarities emerge at different levels. The basic principle of «reconstructing » an appropriate linkage between theory and analysis influences the actual degree of openness of the journal to different theoretical positions, as well as the relevance granted to empirical questions and policy implications. As for the subjects treated, the great attention for historical and methodological problems is the most apparent characteristic of the Articles, while the Review Articles deal mainly with other questions, playing an important complementary role with respect to the former. Indeed, different typologies of articles implement a useful division of labour within Economia Politica, to which corresponds a certain division of competencies between its authors. Important temporal changes are identified at all the levels, and an attempt at upgrading and extending a previous evaluation is carried out.