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Origins

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The term "plutonomics" apparently made its debut in the English language back in the 1850's. The root of plut- comes from the Greek word for "wealth", evoking an alternate name, Pluto, for the Greek god of the underworld and "giver of wealth", Hades. The -nomics ending means "management", as is used in words such as "economics," such that plutonomics can be taken literally to mean "wealth management". The word still retains its literal meaning in English and is used as such in Plutonomics: A Unified Theory of Wealth.

The 1902 book by Frederic Harrison (no relation) about social critic John Ruskin, entitled John Ruskin, uses the term "plutonomic" during a discussion of--though not referring to--Ruskin's opposition to the economic theories of the day. Ruskin's point of view, meanwhile, may be seen in ways as a precursor to modern plutonomics, and S. E. Harrison expressly quotes Ruskin in Plutonomics.

If you find even earlier uses of "plutonomics" or "plutonomy", please contact us.

Regarding the ancient origins of the term, it should little surprise us that Pluto, god of the underworld, would have evolved into a "giver of wealth" role, although at least some sources identify Plutus, god of wealth, as being a minor god who was distinct from Pluto, brother of Zeus/Jupiter. Nonetheless, the concepts of wealth and Earth were then and still are inextricably linked: not only do the traditional symbols for wealth---from gold to diamonds---come from the Earth, but the things we need for survival---like nutrition and oxygen---come from the Earth and the organisms it nourishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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