Rethinking Economics

From Analogies to the Real World

Specificaties
Paperback, 87 blz. | Engels
Springer Nature Singapore | 2015e druk, 2014
ISBN13: 9789812871756
Rubricering
Springer Nature Singapore 2015e druk, 2014 9789812871756
Onderdeel van serie SpringerBriefs in Economics
Verwachte levertijd ongeveer 9 werkdagen

Samenvatting

This brief responds to the criticism that mainstream economics is currently facing due to its heavy reliance on models and narrow range of quantitative research techniques. It takes a broader view, identifying issues that are also relevant for heterodox and pluralist approaches to economics. By acknowledging that the world of theory is not the same as the reality that we are trying to understand, the brief focuses on three paths that generally receive little attention. These are: from theory to the real world; from theory to empirical analysis; and from empirical results to policy application. Each path highlights a range of related concerns and qualifications, and the focus on these transitions provides a strong basis for critical evaluation of analyses and potentially more realistic results and recommendations. It also provides a framework for synthesizing information from alternative schools of thought and across disciplines. In addition, the importance of framing and rhetoric is demonstrated. The brief addresses philosophical and methodological issues using a clear, non-technical approach that can be easily understood by a non-specialist audience.

Specificaties

ISBN13:9789812871756
Taal:Engels
Bindwijze:paperback
Aantal pagina's:87
Uitgever:Springer Nature Singapore
Druk:2015
Hoofdrubriek:Economie

Inhoudsopgave

<p>Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Chapter 1: The importance of rhetoric and framing.- 1.1: Three paths.- 1.2: Rhetoric and framing.-1.2.1: Rhetoric.- 1.2.2: Framing.- Chapter 2: Logical gaps: Path A – Theory to the real world.- 2.1: What is theory?.- 2.2.: Limits of theory.- 2.2.1: Perfect competition and counterfactuals.- 2.2.2: Accepting or rejecting a theory.- 2.2.3: Evidence consistent with theory.- 2.2.4: An additional consideration: the importance of groups.- 2.3: Conclusions.- Chapter 3: Logical gaps: Path B - Theory to empirical formulations.- 3.1: Data problems.- 3.1.1: Aggregation.- 3.1.2: Proxies.- 3.1.3: More on indices.- 3.2: Functional forms.- 3.2.1: Controlling for other factors.- 3.2.2: Causality.- 3.2.3: Structural stability.- 3.3: Conclusions.- Chapter 4: Logical gaps: Path C – Empirical results to the real world.- 4.1: Using statistics for policy.- 4.1.1: The research phase.- 4.1.2: The media phase.- 4.2: Consideration of the problems.- 4.2.1: Interpretation of statistical significance.- 4.2.2: Interpretation: why not change the relationship?.- 4.3: There are standard policy questions not covered by the econometrics.- 4.3.1: An example – TV watching and attention problems.- 4.3.2: Policy questions.- 4.4: An additional example: advantage and disadvantage.- 4.5: Conclusions.- Chapter 5: A way forward.- 5.1: An example: efficiency in economics research.- 5.2: A broader context.- 5.3: In a nutshell.- 5.4: And a final word.- Appendix.- References.</p>

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        Rethinking Economics