I wrote recently about the wonderful experience I had this spring teaching a new graduate seminar that explored how entrepreneurship shapes our economy, society and culture.
What all of the students came away with is an understanding of the true complexity of the issues we face today. The standard my party is better than your party debate and the bumper sticker solutions that seems to always lead us to just doesn’t cut it in times like these. They discovered how essential it is to dig deeper into the fundamental assumptions, the data we have on what works and what doesn’t, and the longer term trends.
The Acton Institute has put together a powerful resource page that provides deep and thoughtful analysis of the current crisis and possible solutions. It also dives into the moral and cultural issues that are so intertwined with any set of economic policies.
Brew a fresh pot of coffee and explore some of the writings they are collecting at this site.
In studying macro and micro economics, I felt disappointed and unsatisfied with theories alone. Free market is great and rewards those who work hard and take risks, but it also rewards those who act unethically with no differentiation. It seems Americans care only for the moment rather than the future until the future is threatened. Our goverment cares little for prevention, but only acts to cure what has already occured. Theories do not have feelings and morals, and only a few years ago, we held them as underlying and unchanging assumptions. I do believe we have to investigate further and consider the consequences of our actions not just today but for the future. We cannot just sit back and allow things to happen, because they may not happen the way we want them to.