On Economic Methods: A Dialogue with Teacher Lin

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 grounded in the study of China's local issues, Chinese economists will be able to make significant contributions to China's modernization and the development of the world economy. China will usher in an era when world-class economics masters will emerge in China. 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 records of Professor Lin Yifu's dialogues with students on economic methodology. Through Q&A exchanges, the author explains in an accessible way how young scholars interested in economics should master modern economic research methods, 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 inspiring for both economics students and researchers in the field.