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

Terell graduated from Connecticut College, where he studied political economy and history.

From The Wall Street Journal

She covers China's political economy, focusing on the intersection of business and politics, and U.S.-China relations.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

After that Cubans would need outside help—a multilateral body to enforce law and set rules to transform the political economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Alexandra, who is second in line to Norway's throne, will join her classmates from August and will study "international relations and political economy," Norway's royal household said.

From BBC