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Economics without Entrepreneurship or Institutions: A Vocabulary Analysis of Graduate Textbooks

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Abstract

A teacher’s words reflect the theory and methods he uses. Words reveal theoretical structures, the problems identified as relevant, and how those problems should be analyzed. I investigate whether entrepreneurship-rich and institutions-rich theories are represented in Ph.D. programs in economics. I analyze textbooks for the presence of terms that fall naturally into two sets. One set deals with the knowledge and discovery: entrepreneur, innovation, invention, tacit knowledge, and bounded rationality. The other deals with social rules: institutions, property rights, and economic freedom. When the words appear I examine the meaning. I examine the textbooks used in required courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and industrial organization in all Ph.D. programs in economics in Sweden. The investigation is not specific to Sweden, however, because Ph.D. programs in Sweden are virtually identical to programs in the United States. The same textbooks are used, and nearly all of the textbooks examined are written by economists in the United States. I find that (i) all programs are in the tradition of “mainstream” economics; (ii) by and large, the eight expressions scarcely appear in the textbooks; and (iii) when they do appear, their meaning is diluted or distorted, compared to their meaning in theories where the idea is more central. In my judgment, the results constitute powerful evidence that today’s doctoral programs do not train young economists to identify and analyze important economic issues in a relevant way.

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  • Johansson, Dan, 2004. "Economics without Entrepreneurship or Institutions: A Vocabulary Analysis of Graduate Textbooks," Ratio Working Papers 58, The Ratio Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:ratioi:0058
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    16. repec:ejw:journl:v:1:y:2004:i:2:p:369-379 is not listed on IDEAS
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    3. Magnus Henrekson & Mikael Stenkula, 2022. "William J. Baumol: Innovative Contributor to Entrepreneurship Economics," Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology, in: Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology: Including a Symposium on the Work of William J. Baumol: Heterodox Inspirations and Neocla, volume 40, pages 107-131, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
    4. Tyler J. Brough & Randy T Simmons, 2023. "Economics as moral exchange: James Buchanan meets Martin Buber," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 194(3), pages 395-420, March.
    5. repec:ejw:journl:v:4:y:2007:i:3:p:338-344 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Milo Bianchi & Magnus Henrekson, 2005. "Is Neoclassical Economics still Entrepreneurless?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 353-377, July.
    7. Kopczewski, Tomasz & Okhrimenko, Iana, 2019. "Can homo economicus be an altruist? A classroom experimental method," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 1-1.
    8. William Stull, 2014. "Taking the Plunge: Teaching the Microeconomics of Entrepreneurship," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 20(2), pages 139-150, May.
    9. David S. Lucas & Caleb S. Fuller & Ennio E. Piano & Christopher J. Coyne, 2018. "Visions of entrepreneurship policy," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 7(4), pages 336-356, November.
    10. repec:ejw:journl:v:2:y:2005:i:1:p:133-148 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Robert Lepenies, 2014. "Economists as political philosophers : a critique of normative trade theory," RSCAS Working Papers 2014/11, European University Institute.
    12. Schneck, Stefan & May-Strobl, Eva, 2014. "The economic contribution of start-up firms in Germany," Working Papers 02/14, Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn.
    13. repec:ejw:journl:v:11:y:2014:i:1:p:46-80 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Julita E. Wasilczuk, 2017. "Research on Entrepreneurship – Forms of Entrepreneurship (Badanie przedsiebiorczosci a jej rodzaje)," Research Reports, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 1(23), pages 14-26.
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    16. repec:ejw:journl:v:4:y:2007:i:2:p:169-183 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Johansson, Dan & Karlsson, Johan & Malm, Arvid, 2020. "Family business—A missing link in economics?," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(1).

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    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A23 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Graduate
    • B20 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - General

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