Abstract

LAWSON, Tony. Mathematical Modelling and Ideology in the Economics Academy. Rev.econ.inst. [online]. 2014, vol.16, n.30, pp.25-51. ISSN 0124-5996.

The widespread and long-lived failings of academic economics are dueto an over-reliance on largely inappropriate mathematical methods of analysis. Many heterodox economists, however, appear to hold instead that the central problem is a form of political-economic ideology. Specifically, it is widely contended in heterodox circles that the discipline goes astray just because so many economists are committed to a portrayal of the market economy as a smoothly or efficiently functioning system or some such, a portrayal that, whether sincerely held or otherwise, is inconsistent with the workings of social reality. Here I critically examine the contention that a form of political-economic ideology of this sort is the primary problem and assess its explanatory power. I conclude that the contention does not fare very well.

Keywords : mathematical methods; economic analysis; heterodoxeconomy.

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