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The power of economic textbooks: A discourse analysis

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  • Bäuerle, Lukas

Abstract

By conducting a discourse analysis (SKAD) in the field of academic economics textbooks, this paper aims at reconstructing frames and identity options offered to undergraduate students relating to the questions "Why study economics?"and "Who do I become by studying economics?". The analysis showed three major frames and respective identity offerings, all of which are contextualized theoretically, with prominent reference to the Foucauldian reflection of the science of Political Economy. Surprisingly, none of them encourages the student to think critically, as could have been expected in a pedagogical context. Taken together, economics textbooks appear as a "total structure of actions brought to bear upon possible action" (Foucault), therefore, as a genuine example of Foucauldian power structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Bäuerle, Lukas, 2019. "The power of economic textbooks: A discourse analysis," Working Paper Series Ök-52, Cusanus Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung, Institut für Ökonomie.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:cuswps:oek52
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic education; textbook economics; discourse analysis; SKAD; Foucault; subjectivation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General
    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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