mainstream economics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainstream economics" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the commonly accepted or widely practiced principles and theories in the field of economics. Example: "According to mainstream economics, supply and demand determine the price of goods and services in a market economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They deploy intelligible mainstream economics instead of affecting to discover new economic laws.

The Economist

To mainstream economics such things seem barely to qualify as economic activity – but that's the point.

The Guardian - Books

That is what mainstream economics says, anyway.

The New Yorker

MAINSTREAM economics has always had its dissidents.

The Economist

Some skate pretty close to mainstream economics.

The New York Times

Mainstream economics claims to be "value-free".

The Guardian - Opinion

Corporate social responsibility has entered the lexicon of mainstream economics.

The New York Times

Dignity is not something mainstream economics has much truck with.

The Economist

Equilibrium is a holy grail in mainstream economics.

The New York Times

The course I teach is a broad survey of mainstream economics.

The New York Times

His opposition to austerity is actually mainstream economics, even backed by the conservative IMF.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mainstream economics" to refer to broadly accepted principles, but acknowledge its limitations when discussing real-world complexities or behavioral anomalies.

Common error

Don't assume that "mainstream economics" offers a one-size-fits-all solution. Recognize that economic phenomena are multifaceted and that alternative schools of thought can provide valuable insights.

Linguistic Context

Mainstream economics functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is used to identify and categorize a specific body of economic thought that adheres to widely accepted principles and theories. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in academic, news, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainstream economics" refers to the conventional or widely accepted principles and theories within the field of economics. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While "mainstream economics" serves as a useful descriptor, it's important to recognize its potential limitations and consider alternative perspectives. When writing, use "mainstream economics" to specify the prevailing viewpoint, but avoid oversimplification by acknowledging the complexities and nuances of economic phenomena. Alternatives such as "orthodox economics" and "conventional economics" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

orthodox economics

Replaces "mainstream" with "orthodox", emphasizing the traditional or established nature of the economic thought.

conventional economics

Uses "conventional" to denote the widely accepted or standard economic principles.

neoclassical economics

Specifies a particular school of thought within mainstream economics, focused on supply, demand, and rationality.

standard economic theory

Rephrases the concept as a "theory" that is generally accepted and used.

dominant economic paradigm

Highlights the prevailing or influential economic framework.

established economic principles

Focuses on the well-founded and recognized ideas in economics.

prevailing economic thought

Emphasizes the currently accepted or most common viewpoint in economic discussions.

accepted economic wisdom

Highlights the ideas that are generally considered to be true or valid in economics.

traditional economic approaches

Emphasizes the conventional and long-standing practices in economic analysis.

classical economic models

Refers to the basic models that are commonly used to teach introductory level economics.

FAQs

How can I use "mainstream economics" in a sentence?

You can use "mainstream economics" to refer to generally accepted economic theories and models. For example, "Mainstream economics suggests that free markets lead to efficient resource allocation."

What's an alternative to saying "mainstream economics"?

Alternatives include "orthodox economics", "conventional economics", or "standard economic theory". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some criticisms of "mainstream economics"?

Common criticisms include its assumptions about rationality, its neglect of behavioral factors, and its limited ability to predict or explain financial crises. Alternative schools of thought, such as behavioral economics and complexity economics, address some of these concerns.

How does "mainstream economics" differ from behavioral economics?

"Mainstream economics" often assumes that individuals are rational actors who make decisions based on perfect information. Behavioral economics, on the other hand, incorporates psychological insights to understand how cognitive biases and emotions influence economic decisions.