ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY: BETWEN COOPERATION AND INTOLERANCE

Abstract

In social sciences two opposing tendencies act simultaneously: the growth of specialisation and the need for synthesis. Similar tendencies are noticable when economics and sociology are in question. The need for these two sciences to cooperate was noticed a long time ago. However, an incresingly intensive exchange has been achieved only recently, particularly in the explanation of individual and group behavior. The works of Mancur Olson are a good example how the results of economics can be inspiring for the research in other sciences, particularly sociology and political science. Applying the results he got by analysing the logic of collective action, Olson managed to attain significant insight concernning the functioning of economics and society as a whole.