On orthodox/heterodox and autistic/post autistic economics ? a view from the romanian academic landscape

• Author: Rodica Ianole - Mihaela Sandu
• Position: Assistant, Faculty of Social and Administrative Sciences, ?Nicolae Titulescu' University - Assistant, Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest
• Pages: 208-215

208 Lex ET Scientia. Economics Series

LESIJ NO. XVIII, VOL. 1/2011

ON ORTHODOX/HETERODOX AND AUTISTIC/POST AUTISTIC

ECONOMICS – A VIEW FROM THE ROMANIAN

ACADEMIC LANDSCAPE

Rodica IANOLE*

Mihaela SANDU**

Abstract

The way economics is perceived nowadays seems to be going back to the old label of

`dismal science`, because it has not achieved to offer consistent and valid solutions to real

problems in critical moments. In a constructive defense of our profession, we need to acknowledge

the existence of some oversimplified hypothesis that do not conform to the actual human behavior,

and thus to turn to different branches of the discipline (from behavioral to feminist, green

economics and econo-physics, just to give some examples) that try to reintegrate economic

thinking in the real landscape, through different approaches. The post autistic economics

represents a powerful example within this attempt of offering economics a new spirit and new

insights of how it should be taught and applied. The aim of this paper is to discuss on the multiple

perspectives, orthodox and heterodox, autistic and post-autistic, and on the manner they appear to

be understood, accepted and implemented in the Romanian economic higher education. We

question the neoclassical paradigm in search for new insights that could lead to a possible

internal reform of the field, opening it more to the opinions of the surrounding social sciences.

Keywords: orthodox and heterodox economics, post autistic economics, Romanian

economic higher education

JEL codes: A11, A12, B50

Introduction

Labeling mainstream economics as autistic it was definitely a bold move of the French

students who coined the term in 2001. „Abnormal subjectivity, acceptance of fantasy rather than

reality”(PAE Newsletter), this was their more precise view on the economic science, regarding the

status of teaching and relevance for practical applications and public policies.

Discovering the existence of this kind of radical perspective, as freshly young economists,

is was not least of a challenge and it has lead us to extensive readings of the recent approaches on

the issue and critical thinking of our own, in terms of what to believe and what paradigm to

embrace.

We consider that having a broad understanding over the new theories that populate

economics nowadays is essential especially for economics students and young researcher, because

as Colander says „individuals are not born as economists; they are molded through formal and

informal training. This training shapes the way they approach problems, process information and

carry out research, which in turn influences the policies they favor and the role they play in

society.” (Colander 2005:175).

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*Assistant, Faculty of Social and Administrative Sciences, „Nicolae Titulescu” University (e-mail:

ianole.rodica@gmail.com).

**Assistant, Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest (e-mail: mihaela9sandu@yahoo.com).