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Post-autistic economics

Post-autistic economics is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Post-autistic economics rather than just read about it. In short: The post-autistic economics movement (French: autisme-économie), or movement of students for the reform of economics teaching (French: mouvement des étudiants pour une réforme de l'enseignement de l'économie), is a political movement that criticises neoclassical economics and advocates for pluralism in economics. The movement gained attention after an open letter signed by almost a thousand economics students at Fre…

Post-autistic economics — main illustration
Post-autistic economics — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Post-autistic economics belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Post-autistic economics to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Post-autistic economics from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The post-autistic economics movement (French: autisme-économie), or movement of students for the reform of economics teaching (French: mouvement des étudiants pour une réforme de l'enseignement de l'économie), is a political movement that criticises neoclassical economics and advocates for pluralism in economics. The movement gained attention after an open letter signed by almost a thousand economics students at French universities and grandes ecoles was published in Le Monde in 2000.

Terminology The French term autisme has an older meaning than the English term autism and signifies "abnormal subjectivity, acceptance of fantasy rather than reality". However, Steve Keen also asserts that "neoclassical economics has the characteristics of an autistic child". The pejorative reference to autism is considered offensive by some economists.

Response The French minister of education appointed a panel headed by Jean-Paul Fitoussi to inquire into economics teaching. In 2000, the panel called for limited reform. Articles associated with the movement were published in the Post-Autistic Economics Newsletter from September 2000. This electronic newsletter became the Post-Autistic Economics Review and, since 2008, has existed as the peer-reviewed journal Real-World Economics Review. Several responses to the French students' open letter were also published in Le Monde. A counter-petition signed by 15 French economists was published in October 2000. Robert Solow adhered to the "main thesis" of the French students' petition, but criticised the "opaque and almost incomprehensible" debate that followed among academics. Olivier Blanchard published a response defending mainstream economics. Other notable economists, such as Steve Keen and James K. Galbraith, wrote elsewhere in support of the French students.

See also

References

Further reading Fullbrook, Edward, ed. (2007). Real world economics: a post-autistic economics reader. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1843312369. Komlos, John, ed. (2023). Foundations of Real-World Economics; What Every Economics Student Needs To Know (3rd ed.). Routledge. ISBN 9781000847895. Fullbrook, Edward, ed. (2003). The crisis in economics: the post-autistic economics movement: the first 600 days. Psychology Press. ISBN 0415308976. Jacobsen, Kurt (4 April 2001). "Unreal, man". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2016. History of and documents from the PAE Movement Real-World Economics Review Blog

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Post-autistic economics

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Post-autistic economics claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Post-autistic economics before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Post-autistic economics ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Post-autistic economics

In research
Post-autistic economics appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Post-autistic economics in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Post-autistic economics is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Schools of economic thought, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Post-autistic economics outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Post-autistic economics in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Post-autistic economics means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Post-autistic economics out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Post-autistic economics in simple terms?

The post-autistic economics movement (French: autisme-économie), or movement of students for the reform of economics teaching (French: mouvement des étudiants pour une réforme de l'enseignement de l'économie), is a political movement that criticises neoclassical economics and advocates for pluralis…

Why does Post-autistic economics matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Post-autistic economics?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Post-autistic economics.

Tags

  • Schools of economic thought

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