On the Role of Mathematical Models in Political Economy

In this study, the author intends to analize the role of mathematical models in (Marxian) political economy. In this article's context, mathematical model means logical-mathematical model, in which applications of mathematical logics are included. At the outset, it is tried to summarize the general features of logical-mathematical models in scientific researches. In this part,it is concluded that dialectical materialism and mathematical modeling method are not only methodologically compatible with each other, but also ought to be linked closedly together for scientific studies. Now comes the problem of application of mathematical models to the research of economic laws. The following points are studied : (1). Political economy is the study of social relations between "man and man." Yet,the social relations which emerge in the economic process differ from all other types of social relations in that they come into being in connection with material objects that serve to satisfy human needs ― they arise in connection with the means of production or in connection with consumer goods. Essence of social relations in the economic process comes in sight in their own phenomena, i.e. in the "man → thing ← man" relations. Therefore, mathematical modeling, which is mainly useful for the research of quantitative relations between economic objects and productive forces, has the very meaning for political economy. (2). Moreover, we can introduce some qualitative aspects of socio-economic development into mathematical modeling. Such a example is represented by a "generalized econometric model," which is developed by Michael Kalecki in his treatise on "Eoonometric Model and Historical Materialism" (1965). In the last part of the present article, the author tries to summarize cybernetics model theory which is developed by Oskar Lange in his excellent work : "Catosc i rozwoj w swietle cybernetyki,"(Wholes and development in cybernetics-viewpoint,) (1962), and to examine Lange's principle about the application of cybernetics-modeling to political economy. It is the author's conclusion that: logical-mathematical modeling should be evaluated to be able to achieve its plentiful contribution to political economy, and this plenty may be immeasurable when and exactly when (other unjustifiable restraints are not necessary) the users of such model stand on the Marxian way of thinking.7KJ00005072559departmental bulletin pape