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Pluralism in Economics: A Public Good or a Public Bad?

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  • Hendrik P. van Dalen

    (Faculty of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and NIDI, The Hague)

Abstract

A pluralist approach to economics is both necessary from anacademic as well a policy point of view. From an academicviewpoint pluralism can be understood as the outcome ofcompetition and specialization in the search for new ideasthat can deal with imperfections of the real world. From apolicy point of view a diversity of view is also desirableas it helps to spread the risk of large mistakes in policychoices. However, the present-day teaching practices andtextbooks are by and large not well suited to deal with apluralist approach. Possible routes of that can help to enrichteaching and curricula are: (1) teaching the art of economicpolicy; (2) stress teaching economics by learning from the past;(3) teach by becoming imperialist so that a conversationbetween discipline gets underway; (4) merge business andgeneral economics as the dividing line between the two isnowadays quite thin; (5) practice Reality Economics; and(6) teach basic principles (especially in the bachelors stage)in a ‘Socratesian’ manner, i.e. let students learn economicsby doing (e.g. by experimental economics or interviewingbusinessmen).

Suggested Citation

  • Hendrik P. van Dalen, 2003. "Pluralism in Economics: A Public Good or a Public Bad?," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 03-034/1, Tinbergen Institute, revised 18 May 2004.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20030034
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Mearman & Tim Wakeley & Gamila Shoib & Don J. Webber, 2011. "Does Pluralism in Economics Education Make Better Educated, Happier Students? A Qualitative Analysis," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 10(2), pages 50-62.
    2. Vinca Bigo & Ioana Negru, 2008. "From Fragmentation to Ontologically Reflexive Pluralism," The Journal of Philosophical Economics, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, The Journal of Philosophical Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 127-150, March.
    3. Birolo, Adriano & Rosselli, Annalisa, 2009. "Research standards for the Italian young academics: what has changed over the last thirty years?," MPRA Paper 21368, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Bruno Frey, 2006. "How Influential is Economics?," De Economist, Springer, vol. 154(2), pages 295-311, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    pluralism; teaching; innovation; economic methodology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics
    • B4 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology
    • B5 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches

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