Ekonomian

Ekonomian is a theoretical framework within the social sciences that studies how societies allocate scarce resources to satisfy human needs and desires. Distinct from traditional neoclassical economics in its explicit emphasis on institutional context, long-term sustainability, and equity, Ekonomian treats economic activity as embedded in political, cultural, and ecological systems.

Its core principles include efficiency shaped by information and incentives, fairness in outcomes across generations, and resilience in the face of shocks. It prioritizes policy design that aligns private incentives with social welfare, while acknowledging distributional trade-offs. It also uses multi-criteria welfare assessment rather than single-number measures.

History of Ekonomian traces its emergence to interdisciplinary debates in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, drawing on behavioral insights, ecological economics, and institutional analysis. It seeks to integrate macroeconomic stability with sustainable development and social justice imperatives.

Methods and applications: Researchers employ empirical analysis, computational simulations, and scenario planning. Policy applications span climate policy, public finance, labor markets, and digital economies. The framework emphasizes participatory decision-making and transparency in modeling assumptions.

Criticism and reception: Critics argue that Ekonomian can be vague about normative goals or rely on contested welfare measures. Others praise its holistic view but caution against policy prescriptions that may be costly or difficult to implement. It remains one among several competing approaches within economic thought and related disciplines.