On Economic Methodology

Author: Lin Yifu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: In my conversations with students and other courses, I deeply feel the principle that "teaching someone to fish is better than teaching them to fish." Economic problems can always be explained by constructing appropriate economic theories. Many phenomena in China's economic reform and development cannot be explained by existing economic theories, which presents a great opportunity for young scholars in China who are interested in economics to make pioneering theoretical contributions. I believe that as long as modern economic research methods are mastered, and research is grounded in China's local issues, Chinese economists will be able to make significant contributions to China's modernization and the development of the global economics discipline. China will usher in an era where world-class economics masters emerge. I hope the publication of these three dialogues will help young scholars in China see the dawn of this era and strive to achieve it. This book collects the recorded dialogues between Professor Lin Yifu and students on the topic of economic methodology. Through Q&A exchanges, the author explains in an accessible manner how young scholars interested in economics should master the basic research methods of modern economics, how to become economists skilled in applying and innovating theories, and how to achieve the localization and standardization of Chinese economic research. The book is richly illustrated and highly readable, making it highly inspirational for both economics students and researchers in the field.