“A Real-politiker of a rather grim sort”: Correa Moylan Walsh, conservative economist

Abstract

This article explores the conservative ideology of Correa Moylan Walsh and its influence on his approach to economics. Walsh, known primarily for his contributions to index number theory, also held deep-rooted conservative views that permeated his scientific work. The paper argues that Walsh’s conservatism was shaped within the sociopolitical context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by significant reform movements in the United States. These views culminated in his 1917 trilogy, where Walsh articulated his skepticism toward socialism, feminism, and other social reforms, which he believed threatened the moral and structural stability of Western civilization. This study demonstrates that Walsh’s conservatism not only influenced his philosophical outlook but also framed his economic analysis, illustrating how personal moral convictions can shape scientific inquiry. Walsh’s case exemplifies the broader interaction between ideology and scientific research, challenging the notion of economics as an entirely objective, value-free discipline.