The aims of the Scottish Economic Society , as stated in 1897, were the discussion, investigation and advancement of economic, financial and statistical science. The organisation was originally called the Scottish Society of Economists. During the period between the First and Second World Wars, only occasional meetings were held and these were poorly attended. It was agreed in 1932 that meetings would be postponed indefinitely. In 1951-1952 the staff of the Departments of Economics in the Scottish Universities discussed the possibilities of the publication of a Scottish economic journal and the promotion of a society. They realised that the objectives of this organisation were much the same as the Scottish Society of Economists and they reformed the Society with a new name - the Scottish Economic Society. The revised constitution was approved in 1954 with the aims: to advance the study of economic and social problems in accordance with the tradition of political economy inspired by Adam Smith; and to publish a journal known as the Scottish Journal of Political Economy as well as publish reprints of classic Scottish economic texts. The first editor of the Journal, and an original member of the Council, was Alexander Cairncross, 1911-1998 . He became the President of the Society from 1969-1971 . The Society is still active in 2003 with the same aims as stated in 1954.
From the guide to the Records of the Scottish Economic Society, learned society, 1897-2003, Glasgow, Scotland, 1897-1982, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
