This book is an investigation of the methodological andepistemological foundations of macroeconomic theory, based on anexamination of the theories of Keynes and Lucas. It is divided intotwo parts. In the first Professor Vercelli discusses themethodological issues which lie behind the conflict among differentschools of thought in macroeconomics (equilibrium anddisequilibrium, risk and uncertainty, rationality and causality).These issues are central to the current debate not only in manybranches of economics, but also in other scientific disciplines.The traditional point of view of science based on equilibrium,stability and determinism has been increasingly challenged by a newpoint of view in which disequilibrium, instability and uncertaintyplay a crucial role. This, the author argues, is bound to putmacroeconomics in a new, more promising position. In the secondpart of the book the author compares the two main alternativeresearch programmes in macroeconomics: that outlined by Keynes inhis 'General Theory', an
