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The use of dichotomies in introductory economics

Author

Listed:
  • Mathieu Dufour

    (Associate Professor, Département des sciences sociales, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada)

  • Ian J. Seda-Irizarry

    (Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, John Jay College, City University of New York, NY, USA)

Abstract

The explanation of complex issues usually requires techniques that imply some sort of abstraction. In economics, and popular discourse in general, dichotomies are an example of such devices. Be it the opposition between monetary and real phenomena, free trade and protectionism, or idealism and materialism, dichotomies are pervasive heuristic techniques. Students taking introductory courses in economics come with preconceived ideas that are, in many senses, shaped by dichotomies, which makes them a useful but tricky teaching tool. In this article, we outline a way to make use of this to transcend these priors and foster critical thinking, using one of the prominent dichotomies, that between the market and the state.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathieu Dufour & Ian J. Seda-Irizarry, 2017. "The use of dichotomies in introductory economics," Review of Keynesian Economics, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 5(4), pages 519–532-5, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:rokejn:v:5:y:2017:i:4:p519-532
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    dichotomies; state; market; Smith; Keynes; Marx;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics
    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • B00 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - General - - - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches
    • Y2 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Introductions and Prefaces

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