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What is economics? Attitudes and views of German economists

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  • Bruno Frey
  • Silke Humbert
  • Friedrich Schneider

Abstract

Which schools of thought are favored by German economists? What makes a good economist and which economists have been most influential? These questions were addressed in a survey, conducted in the summer of 2006 among the members of the 'Verein fur Socialpolitik'. An econometric analysis is used to identify to what extent ideological preferences or personal factors determine the respondents' answers. Our results suggest that German economists favor neoclassical economic theory as a school of thought and appreciate the contributions of their Anglo-Saxon colleagues much more than their fellow compatriots' contributions. Furthermore, a 'good' economist should have expertise in a certain field, as well as a broader knowledge of general economics. Some of the results can be compared to Colander (2008). The results indicate that graduate programs noted for their American style greatly influence a student's opinion as to what attributes a good economist must have.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Frey & Silke Humbert & Friedrich Schneider, 2010. "What is economics? Attitudes and views of German economists," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 317-332.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jecmet:v:17:y:2010:i:3:p:317-332
    DOI: 10.1080/13501781003792688
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Herbert Gintis, 2004. "Towards the Unity of the Human Behavioral Sciences," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 3(1), pages 37-57, February.
    2. David Colander, 2005. "The Making of an Economist Redux," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 19(1), pages 175-198, Winter.
    3. Thomas Mayer, 2001. "The role of ideology in disagreements among economists: a quantitative analysis," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(2), pages 253-273.
    4. David Colander, 2018. "Vision, judgment, and disagreement among economists," Chapters, in: How Economics Should Be Done, chapter 2, pages 11-24, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Bruno S. Frey & Silke Humbert & Friedrich Schneider, 2007. "Was denken deutsche Ökonomen? Eine empirische Auswertung einer Internetbefragung unter den Mitgliedern des Vereins für Socialpolitik im Sommer 2006," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 8(4), pages 359-377, November.
    6. David Colander, 2007. "Introduction to The Making of an Economist, Redux," Introductory Chapters, in: The Making of an Economist, Redux, Princeton University Press.
    7. David Colander, 2008. "The Making of a Global European Economist," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(2), pages 215-236, May.
    8. Forte, Francesco, 1995. "European Economics: A Tiny Creature under Tutorship," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(2), pages 211-217.
    9. Francesco Forte, 1995. "European Economics: A Tiny Creature under Tutorship," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(2), pages 211-217, May.
    10. Dennis C. Mueller, 2004. "Models of Man: Neoclassical, Behavioural, and Evolutionary," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 3(1), pages 59-76, February.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Döpke Jörg & Fritsche Ulrich & Waldhof Gabi, 2019. "Theories, Techniques and the Formation of German Business Cycle Forecasts : Evidence from a survey of professional forecasters," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 239(2), pages 203-241, April.
    3. Correa, Felipe, 2016. "El pensamiento económico en los estudiantes de economía de Chile," El Trimestre Económico, Fondo de Cultura Económica, vol. 0(330), pages .405-427, abril-jun.
    4. Döpke, Jörg & Fritsche, Ulrich & Waldhof, Gaby, 2017. "Theories, techniques and the formation of German business cycle forecasts. Evidence from a survey among professional forecasters," Working Papers 2, German Research Foundation's Priority Programme 1859 "Experience and Expectation. Historical Foundations of Economic Behaviour", Humboldt University Berlin.
    5. Michele Di Maio, 2013. "Are Mainstream and Heterodox Economists Different? An Empirical Analysis," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(5), pages 1315-1348, November.

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