Download This PaperThe Evolution of Economics: Where We are and How We Got Here
Long Term View, Vol. 7 No. 1, 2008
9 Pages Posted: 23 Oct 2010 Last revised: 27 Feb 2012
Date Written: 2008
Abstract
This paper suggests that contemporary economics is characterized by three key features. First, it is focused on "big questions" in political economy and is willing to look outside economics to search for these questions and their answers. Second, contemporary economics is empirically focused. "Grand theory" has taken a back seat to empirical explorations of institutions in particular. Third, modern economics has been dramatically influenced by "freakonomics" - the application of economic principles to unusual and unorthodox topics - and is increasingly directed at a popular lay audience. We argue that these particular areas of modern economics’ evolution are not unrelated. The development of each key feature is connected to the others.
Keywords: Evolution of Economics, Economic Methodology, History of Economic Thought
JEL Classification: B41, B52, N01
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Peter J. Boettke (Contact Author)
George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )
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Mercatus Center at George Mason University ( email )
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Peter T. Leeson
George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )
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George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )
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