political economy

American  

noun

1. a social science dealing with political policies and economic processes, their interrelations, and their influence on social institutions.

2. (in the 17th–18th centuries) the art of management of communities, especially as affecting the wealth of a government.

3. (in the 19th century) a social science similar to modern economics but dealing chiefly with governmental policies.

4. economics.

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political economy British  

noun

1. the former name for economics

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Other Word Forms

• political economist noun

Etymology

Origin of political economy

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Christopher Davidson, a Middle East political economy expert who has written extensively about the UAE, believes the attacks may dent Dubai's appeal in the short term.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

I strongly believe in the operational independence of monetary policy as a wise political economy decision.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

So we need to recapture the realm of political economy, but not the political economy that Ricardo envisioned.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2025

“It’s actually easier to get into USC now than it was in the spring,” said Yoav Gillath, a senior who is earning an undergraduate degree in political economy and a masters in business analytics.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024

The books were of the most varied kind—history, geography, politics, political economy, botany, geology, law—all relating to England and English life and customs and manners.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker