In a sense, that is my impression of what happens. The best
undergrads are not able to stomach the incompatability of the
material with the world they know. So they switch to anthropology,
sociology, pre law, etc.
So there is a selection process on the part of the individual.
There is also a screening process on the part of grad schools -- with
a demonstrated facility in mathematics being demanded.
Only the conformists go on in economics -- and they become the cadre
or faculty for the next generation. It is made clear what is
required for a career -- so the screening is pretty complete.
Gene Coyle
On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:58 PM, David B. Shemano wrote:
Perhaps this is a really naive question, since I have absolutely no
connection to academia and last took an econ course in the
mid-1980s, but isn't the dominance of neoclassical thinking in
economics departments partially explainable by the fact that those
who disagree with the underlying assumptions find it easier to set
up shop across the quad in the sociology department? Wouldn't a
"neoclassical" sociologist have the same complaints about sociology
departments and journals and you all do about economics departments
and journals?
David Shemano
