historical school

American  

noun

1. a school of economists that arose in Germany in the 19th century in reaction to the principles of the classical economists, and that maintained that the factors making up an economy are variable and develop out of social institutions.

2. Law. the school of jurists who maintain that law is not to be regarded so much as resulting from commands of sovereigns as from historical and social circumstances.

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historical school British  

noun

1. a group of 19th-century German economists who maintained that modern economies evolved from historical institutions

2. the school of jurists maintaining that laws are based on social and historical circumstances rather than made by a sovereign power

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Etymology

Origin of historical school

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

It is frequently supposed that the influence of the “old Political Economy” has been gradually undermined by the attacks of the historical school.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various

Hegel was the first to gather the fruit whose seeds had been sown by Leibnitz, Lessing, Herder, and the historical school of law.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard

At Cambridge his influence at once made itself felt, especially in the reorganization of the historical school.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

In varying forms, it has been that of an historical school of thought in the English Church and in its American daughter.

From The Right and Wrong Uses of the Bible by Newton, R. Heber

If, with some writers of the historical school, we admit the objections which apply to this method, we seem to be reduced to a hopeless state of uncertainty.

From Social Rights and Duties, Volume I (of 2) Addresses to Ethical Societies by Stephen, Leslie, Sir