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Sins of the Sons of Samuelson: Vision, pedagogy, and the zig-zag windings of complex dynamics

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  • Colander, David
  • Rothschild, Casey

Abstract

The standard economics text is centered on a vision of a naturally self-regulated, dynamically stable system with a unique global attractor. This paper discusses how we got there and how recent developments in the study of dynamical systems allow us to go beyond that. It traces the evolution of the teaching of economics from Alfred Marshall, who built his supply-and-demand framework within a complexity vision of the economy. It suggests that that complexity vision was lost as economists formalized the supply-demand framework and extended it to the entire economy. This paper argues that the current textbook presentation of economics should not and cannot serve as the only intellectual frame we provide to our students.

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  • Colander, David & Rothschild, Casey, 2010. "Sins of the Sons of Samuelson: Vision, pedagogy, and the zig-zag windings of complex dynamics," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 74(3), pages 277-290, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:74:y:2010:i:3:p:277-290
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    2. David Colander & Casey Rothschild, 2009. "Complexity and Macro Pedagogy: The Complexity Vision as a Bridge between Graduate and Undergraduate Macro," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Giuseppe Fontana & Mark Setterfield (ed.), Macroeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Pedagogy, chapter 6, pages 118-128, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    1. Ricard P. F. Holt, 2024. "David Colander and Modern Economics," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 50(4), pages 496-509, October.
    2. David Colander, 2011. "Applied Policy, Welfare Economics, and Mill’s Half-Truths," Chapters, in: John B. Davis & D. Wade Hands (ed.), The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology, chapter 8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. DeMartino, George & Grabel, Ilene & Scoones, Ian, 2024. "Economics for an uncertain world," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Olivier Baguelin, 2020. "What's right with the neoclassical legacy? Allais' response," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-02541406, HAL.

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