[Program of this conference is below:]

PLURALISM AND INTERDISCIPLINARITY IN ECONOMICS

A conference on how to teach economics in a pluralistic and
interdisciplinary way

Conference of the Association of Institutional and Political Economics
(AIPE), de Vereniging van Institutionele en Politieke Economie (VIPE).

Date: Friday 29 November 2002

location: Erasmus University Rotterdam


Pluralism in Economics

Within economics issues are analysed from several perspectives
resulting into different views of the world. The schools in economics
(like neoclassical economics, new institutional economics,
evolutionary economics, etc.) structure the economic world differently
with different variables to be explained and different explanatory
variables. The justification being that different questions are
raised, which call for differently structured theories; questions
concerning for instance equilibrium demand a different approach then
questions about the evolution of economic phenomena. Different
theories do also exist because of the different conditions considered
relevant: theories which assume competitive markets are of another
nature then theories which assume publicly organised markets. In
short: different approaches exist within one discipline because of
different questions asked and different conditions assumed.

The central theme of the conference is about these different
theoretical approaches living together under the umbrella of one
discipline; how should such pluralism in economics be evaluated, what
are the methodological implications and what are the consequences for
the undergraduate and graduate programmes?

Large part of the conference will be devoted to the question whether
and how the different approaches in economics can be incorporated into
one curriculum; this is of special interest with the introduction of
the bachelor/master structure in Europe.


Interdisciplinarity; Economics and Beyond

The boundaries of economics are strongly felt when dealing with
management issues or questions of public policy. Strategic decision
making in the public as well as in the private sector, has to deal
with the complexity of real economic phenomena and can not be limited
to a partial analysis of one discipline. This challenges the higher
education system preparing economic graduates for all day decision
making in public and private organisations.

Next to the question of pluralism within economics attention will be
paid to combining economics with other disciplinary approaches like
law, informatics, or physics; the issue of 'economics and beyond'.

Programme

The opening key note lecture will be given by Sheila Dow followed by
two round table discussions:

1. Pluralism within economics

The first round table is on the curriculum of economics; how should
the idea of pluralism be translated into the programmes of
undergraduate and graduate studies. Which schools of thought should be
taught in an economics curriculum? What is required from a management
and policy point of view? What makes a programme academic and what
type of competences ought to be trained? How should the methodological
and philosophical aspects be incorporated?

2. Economics and interdisciplinarity

The second round table will be on the question how economics can be
combined with other disciplines like law, sociology, informatics, etc.
What are the specific problems in combining two or more disciplines,
how can these be solved in the curriculum?

Both round tables will be introduced by an expert in the field.
Participants will present statements. After the round table discussion
the audience will have ample opportunity to participate in the
discussion.

Participants in the round table discussion are among others: Mark
Blaug (EUR), Marc de Clercq (University of Gent), Harry van Dalen
(EUR), Sheila Dow (UK, Stirling University), Wolfram Elsner
(University of Bremen), Jérome Gautie (University of Reims/Ecole
Normale Supérieur de Paris), Henk de Jager (Amsterdam University),
Albert Jolink (EUR), Arjo Klamer (EUR), Uskali Mäki (EUR), Bart
Nooteboom (EUR), Roberto Simonetti (Open University UK), Ronald Speklé
(EUR), Jack Vromen (EUR).

The contributions will be published by Edward Elgar in the series of
the association Association of Institutional and Political Economics.


Organisation: John Groenewegen
Information: Dorieke Looije (looije@...)
and www.vipe-economie.nl

This conference is co-sponsored by
EAEPE