Maths, macro, micro: is that all Evidence from an international study on economics bachelor curricula in 14 countries

Abstract

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, international criticism of the lack of pluralism in economics teaching climaxed in the open letter of the International Student Initiative for Pluralism in Economics (ISIPE). The feeling seemed to be widespread but data is lacking. This study is the first to gather data at an international level about the way economics is taught at universities. Fourteen countries were surveyed. The results show a clear domination of quantitative methods, macroeconomics and microeconomics courses, as well as management courses. Reflective courses, such as the history of economic thought, are marginalised.