Nick Rowe has recently criticized heterodox economic schools for not taking the time to read neoclassical textbooks and this has sparked some responses from the heterdoxy. I really do not know where Rowe got the idea to generalize heterodoxy advocates as people who haven’t read neoclassical textbooks. Most of these people that I know (personally and online) have gone to school or are in school and have a degree in or are studying economics or a related field. This is to say, there are many heterodox students and economists that have studied economics from a neoclassical perspective before. So not only have these people read neoclassical textbooks but they also have been tested over them. And as an economics tutor, I even have to help people understand neoclassical concepts that are in their textbooks.
The lesson learned here: Heterodox advocates do read neoclassical textbooks, and not just first year textbooks either.
There are ‘not so great’ criticisms of neoclassical econ or concepts that neoclassicals use made by the heterodoxy, but this doesn’t mean that they haven’t read neoclassical textbooks.
Nevertheless, this is just like any conflict, those who already believe in a position think that position won the debate. Neoclassicals think that Rowe’s “read a textbook” argument is a grand criticism towards the heterodoxy, while the heterodoxy advocates think that such a ‘criticism’ is absurd.
Doesnt feel odd that you consider yourself a heterodox economist but yet you are right winged? Would you think the post Keynesians you linked to would also consider you part of the heterodoxy?
No, it doesnt feel weird. Though, depending on how you define what fits in the heterodox economic schools, Austrian economics as a whole is part of the heterodox branch, it’s definitely not mainstream. I do see this as a bit simplistic though because I do agree that a key aspect in a heterodox school of thought for econ is the claim that markets are not tending to equilibrium. If we consider this aspect then, radical subjectivists would still be under a heterodox branch while, what I call, mainstream Austrians are more of the orthodox branch.
Anon,
I have tried to get Isaac to join the cult of post-Keynesianism before but sadly it looks like a dead end for now
I have tried to get Isaac to join the cult of post-Keynesianism before but sadly it looks like a dead end for now
So is the “for now” implying that you haven’t given up on the task?
I am preparing a variety of post-Keynesian brainwashing techniques.
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How well read are you in post Keynesianism?
I’ll respond to this like a typical economist … relative to what?