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Curated by Project Syndicate

The Future of Homo Economicus

4 commentaries

The 2008 global financial crisis undermined the widespread belief that economics is akin to the natural sciences, with supposedly immutable laws enabling accurate prediction. One result of this reckoning is that more economists are embracing the social – even the inspirational – side of the dismal science.

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  1. The Moral Identity of Homo Economicus
    Making choice Juanmonino/Getty Images

    The Moral Identity of Homo Economicus

    Nov 7, 2017 Ricardo Hausmann describes an incipient intellectual revolution that could turn the dismal science into a more inspiring pursuit.

  2. Another Nobel Surprise for Economics
    Richard Thaler Scott Olson/Getty Images

    Another Nobel Surprise for Economics

    Oct 10, 2017 Robert J. Shiller views the selection of this year's laureate, Richard Thaler, as further vindication of the behavioral approach.

  3. Economic Crises and the Crisis of Economics
    Millennium footbridge Ben Stansall/Getty Images

    Economic Crises and the Crisis of Economics

    Jan 13, 2017 Paola Subacchi calls on economists to develop a new code of conduct to restore their profession's credibility.

  4. Economists vs. Economics
    Paul Krugman Panayiotis Tzamaros/ZumaPress

    Economists vs. Economics

    Sep 10, 2015 Dani Rodrik examines the recent wave of criticism of the discipline by its leading figures.

  1. haass159_ED JONESAFP via Getty Images_un general assembly ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images

    The New World Disorder

    Richard Haass highlights the growing threat to international stability and calls for effective cooperation.
  2. fraga4_ JUAN MABROMATAAFP via Getty Images_money JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images

    Latin America’s Growth Conundrum

    Arminio Fraga, et al.

    Since 1960, only a few countries in Latin America have narrowed the gap between their per capita income and that of the United States, while most of the region has lagged far behind. Making up for lost ground will require a coordinated effort, involving both technocratic tinkering and bold political leadership.

    explain what it will take finally to achieve economic convergence with advanced economies.
  3. davies87_Justin SullivanGetty Images_svb Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    We Need to Talk About Bank Supervision

    Howard Davies thinks the renewed debate over commercial bank capital requirements largely misses the point.
  4. skidelsky191_Hollie AdamsGetty Images_rorystewart Hollie Adams/Getty Images

    The New Anatomy of Britain

    Robert Skidelsky laments the decline of UK institutions and the increasingly limited scope for meaningful action.
  5. ilango1_Getty Images_esg Getty Images

    Financing Our Survival

    Vera Songwe

    Between now and the end of this decade, climate-related investments need to increase by orders of magnitude to keep the world on track toward achieving even more ambitious targets by mid-century. Fortunately, if done right, such investments could usher in an entirely new and better economy.

    explains what it will take to mobilize capital for the net-zero transition worldwide.
  6. ito31_EVELYN HOCKSTEINPOOLAFP via Getty Images_modibidenlulag20 Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    Whither the G20?

    Takatoshi Ito sees the grouping as increasingly divided between friends of the G7 and friends of China and Russia.
  7. kitaw1_Per-Anders PetterssonGetty Images_africamining Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

    Making the Most of Africa’s Strategic Green Minerals

    Marit Kitaw explains how the continent can move beyond resource extraction to build green industry.
  8. frankel128_ plus49Construction PhotographyAvalonGetty Images_emissions plus49Construction PhotographyAvalonGetty Images

    America Must Join Europe’s Climate Club

    Gary Yohe & Roger Kuhns urge US policymakers to create a carbon-pricing policy in line with the bloc’s emissions-reduction plan.
  9. ydeng1_ Feng LiGetty Images_chinapolicecorruption Feng Li/Getty Images

    Measuring Corruption in China

    Yongheng Deng & Shang-Jin Wei outline a novel approach to assessing the extent and scope of the country's graft problem.

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