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

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

This is a large co-operative treatise by twenty-one writers from the historical school.

From Principles Of Political Economy Abridged with Critical, Bibliographical, and Explanatory Notes, and a Sketch of the History of Political Economy by Mill, John Stuart

If Froude had been appointed twenty years earlier, on the completion of his twelve volumes, he might have made Oxford the great historical school of England.

From The Life of Froude by Paul, Herbert W. (Herbert Woodfield)

Mr. Masson has certainly offered a new and striking subject to the historical school of British art.

From Among My Books Second Series by Lowell, James Russell

The larger part of the strength of the modern historical school lies in this method, and in able hands it has produced great results.

From Gibbon by Morison, James Cotter