Mainstream Economics
Mainstream economics is the school of economic thought which argues that free markets and economic liberty are essential elements of economic success. It is associated with the economic system of capitalism and the ideology of classical liberalism. Mainstream economics puts faith in the ability of the market to efficiently allocate resources, leading to fairness and economic progress.
Mainstream economics is the most popularly accepted school of economic thought. It has a long and influential tradition, and has evolved over the centuries from applying accepted teachings of political economy to analyzing broader issues of macro and micro economics. Such teachings come from the 19th century British classical economists, like Adam Smith and Thomas Malthus, who were the first to develop the notion of a free-market economy and a model of supply and demand.
The basic tenet of mainstream economics is that a free-market system is the most efficient way to allocate resources and to spur economic growth. This is based on the premise that a free-market system allows individuals to pursue their own interests, while competitive market forces ensure that prices remain competitive and that production occurs efficiently. This basic idea has been developed by many economists over the years, including Nobel laureates Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek.
The core principles of mainstream economics include individual rights, voluntariness and freedom of choice in all economic transactions. The central notion is that, given peoples free will, the individual is able to choose the most beneficial exchange for himself or herself. People are held accountable for their decisions and must weigh the potential benefits and costs before making any decisions. Mainstream economics also stresses that each individual should pay a market price for the goods and services they receive. This encourages competition among businesses, which helps create efficiency in the economy by allowing businesses to compete to offer better prices and products.
Mainstream economists also advocate for less government intervention in the economy. They believe that the most efficient way to counter any economic problems is to allow the markets to adjust naturally by themselves. Such adjustments could involve changes in taxation, subsidies, wage regulations, or other forms of intervention. This is based on the notion that the government should only be used to remedy major and structural problems in the economy.
In conclusion, it can be seen that mainstream economics put great faith in the free-market system and the power of individuals to pursue their own interests. It holds that markets can effectively allocate resources and that government intervention should be kept to a minimum. Mainstream economics has had a very long standing influence in the development of economics and remains the most popularly accepted school of thought for most economists today.