1. Macroeconomics as Systems Theory: Setting the Stage.- 2. Models of Social Order: Mechanical vs. Creative.- 3. Structures of Production and Properties of Social Order.- 4. Diachronic Action within an Ecology of Plans.- 5. Kaleidic Economies and Internally Generated Change.- 6. Entangled Political Economy within Human Population Systems.- 7. Public Policy as the Political Calculation of Economic Value.- 8. Money, Credit, and Commanding the Societal Heights.- 9. Reason, Sentiment, and Democratic Action.- 10. Liberalism, Collectivism, and Democracy.

This book examines macroeconomic theory from an analytical framework provided by theories of complex systems, in contrast to conventional theories founded on aggregation. The resulting difference in analytical perspectives is huge: the macro level of society is not pursued through aggregation over micro entities. To the contrary, the micro-macro relation is treated as one of parts-to-whole, and this relation is approached from within an ecological scheme of thought. A society is a complex ecology of plans. That ecology, however, is not reducible to a single plan.  Conventional macro theory presents a national economy as a collection of such aggregate variables as output, employment, investment, and a price level, and seeks to develop theoretical relationships among those variables. In contrast, the social-theoretic approach to macro or social theory in this book treats the standard macro variables as having been shaped through social institutions, conventions, and processes that in turn are generated through interaction among economizing persons. The object denoted as macro is thus of a higher order of complexity than the object denoted as micro.

“I hope the prose and tone of my summary conveys how much I thoroughly enjoyed and learned from this book. … Wagner’s book provides researchers with a legion of avenues of research for others to help continue to push our science in these (more fruitful) directions and uncover the unseen realities that current mainstream economics hides from our view.” (Jonathan W. Plante, The Review of Austrian Economics, Vol. 35 (4), 2022)

“Wagner brings the complexity revolution to macroeconomics, which has side-stepped it until now. We have not known how to do complexity macroeconomics, but with this important book Wagner has shown us the way. Key is the synthesis of process and structure. Fresh entrepreneurial dreams jostle together in a common institutional framework that constrains and shapes the resulting turbulent flow of economic life. Wagner’s theory enables us to use complexity tools to work out the macroeconomic consequences of this microeconomic jostling. A macroeconomics revolution is nigh.” (Roger Koppl, Professor Finance, Syracuse University)“Wagner’s approach to macroeconomics represents a major step away from mainstream macroeconomics. He depicts the macroeconomy as a complex interaction among individuals, all of whom have their own plans. This stands in contrast with the aggregate nature of macroeconomic analysis, whether one is thinking of macroeconomic aggregates in a Keynesian framework or incorporating microfoundations in a representative agent framework. Wagner’s macroeconomy is a spontaneous order in which institutions can evolve to facilitate mutually beneficial interactions among individuals. This thought-provoking book will change the way readers think about macroeconomics.” (Randall G. Holcombe, DeVoe Moore Professor of Economics, Florida State University) “This book is an important contribution to the debate on the nature and scope of macroeconomic analysis. Wagner warns us against questionable attempts to aggregate, measure and draw doubtful recipes for policy-making. Instead, he sticks to his subjectivist guns, bridges the gap between micro- and macroeconomics, and offers new insights into the role of institutions. Wagner deserves praise for this impressive scholarly achievement. While developing a literature that began with the Scottish Enlightenment, his pages provide path-breaking ideas that will capture the attention of the professionaleconomist and fascinate those who believe it is high time we start thinking out of the orthodox box.” (Enrico Colombatto, Professor of Economics, University of Turin)

Provides a significant contribution to the debate on the essence and relevance of macroeconomic analysis Offers a novel framework for analyzing the macroeconomy, viewing it as a complex interaction among individuals, all of whom have their own individual plans Treats the standard macro variables as having been shaped through social institutions, conventions, and processes that in turn are generated through interaction among economizing persons