: “Why is the Current Way of Teaching Economics Not Suitable to Understand and Address Sustainability in the Netherlands?: A Call for Pluralism in Economics Education”
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2023-07-11
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en
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Abstract
In times of climate change, rising social inequalities, environmental disruption and economic
disparities, the current mainstream economic system grounded on Neoclassical philosophies is no
longer tenable. Previous research conducted on economics education in the Netherlands shows
that the dominant narratives in Dutch universities rely on Neoclassical schemes based on
conceptions of economic growth, and profit-making. In this master’s thesis, I argue that only
exposing economics students to Neoclassical theories of economics, rather than to a multiplicity
of schools of thought (pluralism), does not address sustainability challenges and dangles. By
comparing two Dutch universities with distinct approaches, namely Radboud University (RU) and
the University of Amsterdam (UvA), I suggest that the more pluralistic approach to economics
education adopted by Radboud produces a more encompassing understanding of sustainability.
Given the promise of pluralism in economics education, I explore the barriers hindering
universities from adopting pluralism. I consider the degree to which institutional constraints and
personal motives in the pursuit of status and reputation are two important limits to achieving
sustainability in economics education. This master thesis thereby invites university institutions to
reflect on the dynamics of economics education and on how they influence society broadly and
policymaking specifically.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen