International Economic Association

International Economic Association
Name	International Economic Association
Founded	0 1950
Location	Paris, France
Key people	Joseph Schumpeter (First President)
Focus	Advancement of economic science
Website	https://www.iea-world.org

International Economic Association. Founded in 1950, it is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting personal contact and mutual understanding among economists worldwide. Established with support from UNESCO, its mission is to advance the field of economics through international cooperation, scientific discussion, and the dissemination of knowledge. The association facilitates major congresses, publishes significant works, and brings together leading scholars from diverse economic traditions and national backgrounds.

History

The formation was inspired by discussions among prominent economists in the late 1940s, notably including John Maynard Keynes and Joseph Schumpeter, though formal establishment occurred after their deaths. Its inaugural congress was held in Rome in 1956, setting a precedent for its triennial world gatherings. Early leadership included figures like Gottfried Haberler and Kenneth Boulding, who helped navigate the Cold War divisions to foster dialogue between economists from Eastern Bloc nations and the Western world. Over decades, it has expanded its reach, consistently promoting the application of economic science to global welfare, as envisioned in its original statutes developed with UNESCO.

Objectives and activities

Its primary objective is to develop economics as a science through international collaboration, free from political or ideological constraints. Core activities include organizing the triennial World Congress of the International Economic Association, sponsoring specialized conferences on themes like development economics or monetary policy, and encouraging research in emerging economies. It works to bridge gaps between different schools of economic thought, from neoclassical economics to Marxian economics, and supports the work of regional bodies like the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association. A key focus remains on engaging economists from developing nations in the global scholarly conversation.

Governance and structure

Governance is vested in a Council and an Executive Committee, elected by its national member associations which represent over 70 countries, including the American Economic Association and the Royal Economic Society. Day-to-day operations are managed by a Secretariat based in Paris. The association is led by a President, who serves a three-year term, with past presidents including renowned figures like Paul Samuelson, Amartya Sen, and Joseph Stiglitz. A Treasurer and a Secretary-General oversee financial and administrative functions, ensuring adherence to the constitution ratified by the member bodies.

Publications

It is known for producing influential volumes stemming from its congresses and conferences, often published by academic presses like Palgrave Macmillan and Oxford University Press. Notable series include the *IEA Conference Volumes*, which have covered topics from income distribution to environmental economics. While it does not publish a regular journal, its edited collections frequently feature contributions from Nobel laureates such as James Heckman and Angus Deaton. These publications serve as key reference works, disseminating cutting-edge research to academic and policy audiences globally.

Conferences and events

The flagship event is the triennial World Congress of the International Economic Association, held in locations from Tokyo to Mexico City, attracting thousands of participants. It also organizes around a dozen specialized conferences annually, often in partnership with institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research or the World Bank, addressing urgent issues like financial crises or climate change. Regional meetings, such as those coordinated with the African Econometric Society, are a vital part of its calendar, ensuring broad geographic participation and focus on local economic challenges.

Notable members and leadership

Its roster of distinguished economists includes numerous presidents of the Econometric Society and recipients of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Foundational figures included Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen, while later presidents have encompassed Robert Solow, Anne Krueger, and Dani Rodrik. Eminent members from various eras include Joan Robinson, Milton Friedman, John Harsanyi, and Elinor Ostrom, reflecting the association's ideological diversity. Current and recent leadership continues to feature leading scholars from major global institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the London School of Economics.

Category:International professional associations Category:Economics organizations