CAMERALISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC-TH OUGHT

The first part of the paper describes the role of mercantilism as a th eory and policy. Its connection with the absolutis monarchy is analyze d. The theory and some representants are described. The second part is a study of cameral sciences, cameralism and cameralistics. The situat ion in Germany and the Habsburg Empire which led to development of cam eral sciences is shown. Cameral sciences are defined as a ''set of pra ctical knowledge, necessary for administration of the princeps treasur y''. Some common features and differences with the mercantilist theory are introduced. Main representatives from Austria and Germany, their work and results are shortly analyzed. Main attention is given to the work of J. Sonnenfels, the first professor of cameral sciences in Vien na (1763). In 1807 a textbook of Wolfgang Beke appeared, partly as lat in translation of the Sonnenfels' book. These books are analyzed in or der to show main features of cameral sciences. At the university of Tr nava a department of policy and cameral sciences was established in 17 69. A. Weisengruber, G. Pal de Ehrenfels and F. Gyurkovics followed on e another as professors but in 1777 the university moved to Buda. In P rague the professor of cameral sciences since 1766 was J. I. Butschek. The Collegium Oeconomicum worked in Senec from 1763 till 1776. After 1777 two state-owned Schools of Law functioned in Bratislava and Kosic c. In the last part of the paper some general tendencies in economic s cience are analyzed with regard to problems of their practical and the oretical orientation.