Economics and Critique

Though they are rarely associated with the topic, Plato and Aristotle offer three bases of a critique of contemporary 'Economics'.  First, the difference between Micro-Economics and Political Economy is one of kind, not of degree.  Second, Economics is not to be confused with Chresmatics.  Third, vital need is a foundation of a healthy Economic system.  The first, gleaned from the contrast of household management in the Politics and the organizing of a just Polis in the Republic, is the basis of the Private-Public distinction, i. e. that a Polis is qualitatively more than a collection of businesses, and, thus, not subject to the same principles that govern them.  The second, clearly articulated by Aristotle, separates the "natural" status of Money as a means from that as an end.  The third implies that a concept of Demand that does not distinguish vital need from non-vital wish weakens the system in which it is a factor.  Now, to 'critique' literally means to 'separate', so a Critique of Contemporary Economics can separate out Micro-Economic elements, Chresmatic operations, and non-vital wishes, in preparation for a concept of Political Economy that hardly resembles many contemporary ones.