Abstract
Economies are often classified into polar divisions—socialist, capitalist, communist. That approach is not especially useful. Successful systems are by nature pragmatic, and they evolve into blended pragmatic systems that quickly move out of any pre-specified space. Accepting that all systems are pragmatic has significant implications for economic thinking; for example, it suggests that economist’s tendency to see the economy and government as separate and not co-evolving intertwined systems mischaracterizes the policy problems facing society. The paper briefly outlines the policy implications of seeing the economy as a complex evolving system, arguing an important policy goal of government is to set up an ecostructure that helps individuals achieve their ethically acceptable desires and goals for a life well lived. Theoretical
debates about market vs. government do little to further that goal.
Thanks
Paper presented at the 4th International Conference of the Turkish Economic Association, October 18-20, 2014, Antalya, Turkey.
References
- Colander, David, (2011), “Solving Society’s Problems from the Bottom Up: For-Benefit Enterprises" Challenge Magazine.
- Colander, David and Roland Kupers, (2014), Complexity and the Art of Public Policy: Solving Society’s Problems from the Bottom Up. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Keynes, John Maynard (1930, 1963 Print), “Economic Possibilities of our Grandchildren,” in Essays in Persuasion, Norton. New York.
- Mill, John Stuart, (1848), Principles of Political Economy. London: Longmans, Green.
- Smith, Adam, (1759), Theory of Moral Sentiments. London: A Miller.
- Smith, Adam, (1776), The Wealth of Nations. London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell.
Abstract
Economies are often classified into polar divisions—socialist, capitalist, communist. That approach is not especially useful. Successful systems are by nature pragmatic, and they evolve into blended pragmatic systems that quickly move out of any pre-specified space. Accepting that all systems are pragmatic has significant implications for economic thinking; for example, it suggests that economist’s tendency to see the economy and government as separate and not co-evolving intertwined systems mischaracterizes the policy problems facing society. The paper briefly outlines the policy implications of seeing the economy as a complex evolving system, arguing an important policy goal of government is to set up an ecostructure that helps individuals achieve their ethically acceptable desires and goals for a life well lived. Theoretical
debates about market vs. government do little to further that goal.
References
- Colander, David, (2011), “Solving Society’s Problems from the Bottom Up: For-Benefit Enterprises" Challenge Magazine.
- Colander, David and Roland Kupers, (2014), Complexity and the Art of Public Policy: Solving Society’s Problems from the Bottom Up. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Keynes, John Maynard (1930, 1963 Print), “Economic Possibilities of our Grandchildren,” in Essays in Persuasion, Norton. New York.
- Mill, John Stuart, (1848), Principles of Political Economy. London: Longmans, Green.
- Smith, Adam, (1759), Theory of Moral Sentiments. London: A Miller.
- Smith, Adam, (1776), The Wealth of Nations. London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Economics |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | January 1, 2014 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2014 Volume: 3 Issue: 1 |