New times, new economics (why is the “old” economics failing?)

Baltowski, Maciej (2019) New times, new economics (why is the “old” economics failing?). Acta Oeconomica, 69 (s1). pp. 155-173. ISSN 0001-6373

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Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to analyse the weaknesses, both epistemological and applicative, of the contemporary orthodox economics and, based thereon, to indicate the necessary changes it needs to undergo. Two groups of weaknesses are distinguished here – the intrinsic ones and the acquired ones. The former ones result from diversity and variability of its object of study and from the teleological nature of the economy. The latter ones, related to the methodological principles of economics stem from errors or omissions committed by the founders of economics in the historical development. The author identifies and analyses three such weaknesses – superficiality of cognition, overformalisation and the delusion of universalisation. The analysis shows that globalisation processes and other varied civilisational transformations we have been experiencing over the last 15–20 years have brought into light and highlighted the weaknesses of economics. The author comes to the conclusion that consequently the economics for the 21^st century, to meet the challenges of the new times, should undergo three basic shifts: a/ from positive, descriptive science to including also the evaluative and axiological one; b/ from homogeneous, universal science to a considerably contextual one and c/from pure, formalised science to a deeply interdisciplinary one.

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