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Curated by Project Syndicate

The Future of Homo Economicus

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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. wei66_PETER PARKSAFP via Getty Images_chinastockmarket Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

    The Global Implications of China’s Stimulus Package

    Shang-Jin Wei explains why the country’s push to revive economic activity depends on boosting domestic demand.
  2. krauze2_Manuel VelasquezGetty Images_sheinbaum Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images

    A New President and a Grim Legacy for Mexico

    Enrique Krauze reflects on the harmful tenure of the outgoing president, who weakened the economy and eroded its institutions.
  3. ahzhang16_CostfotoNurPhoto via Getty Images_china stimulus Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Governance Reform Is Key to Reviving China’s Economy

    Angela Huyue Zhang argues that lasting prosperity depends not on boosting demand, but on a return to bottom-up governance.
  4. gill8_Getty Images_business ready Getty Images

    Creating a “Goldilocks” Business Climate

    Indermit Gill unveils the World Bank’s new, improved approach to unlocking private-sector development.
  5. haass173_Ramiz DallahAnadolu via Getty Images_israellebanon Ramiz Dallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Earthquakes in the Middle East

    Richard Haass

    For almost a year, many hoped that Israel's war with Hamas would not spread beyond Gaza. But attacks on northern Israel by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and now the decision by both groups' backer, Iran, to fire ballistic missiles at Israel, has made a regional conflict all but inevitable.

    explains why the fighting between Israel and Hamas has escalated into a regional conflict involving Iran.
  6. zizek36_ContributorGetty Images_propaganda Contributor/Getty Images

    Putin’s Ukraine Magic

    Slavoj Žižek examines what the Kremlin’s strategy of deception means for diplomatic efforts to end the war.
  7. sheng131Jiang QimingChina News Service via Getty Images_pboc Jiang Qiming/China News Service via Getty Images

    China’s Economy Needs a Stimulus Package

    Yu Yongding urges policymakers to prevent prolonged stagnation by implementing expansionary monetary and fiscal policies.
  8. kisilowski12_Christian BrunaGetty Images_fpo austria Christian Bruna/Getty Images

    Austria’s Far Right Did Not Win

    Maciej Kisilowski rejects the notion that a plurality should confer a mandate to govern in a multiparty parliamentary system.
  9. spence176_VCGVCG via Getty Images_chinaelectricvehicles VCG/VCG via Getty Images

    The High Cost of Excluding Chinese Technology

    Michael Spence warns that both the global economy and the sustainability agenda could be dealt a devastating blow.

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