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Is System Dynamics Modelling of Relevance to Neoclassical Economists?
Author(s) -
Crookes Douglas J.,
De Wit Martin P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
south african journal of economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.502
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1813-6982
pISSN - 0038-2280
DOI - 10.1111/saje.12038
Subject(s) - economics , relevance (law) , dynamics (music) , heterodox economics , system dynamics , field (mathematics) , general equilibrium theory , social dynamics , ecological economics , positive economics , mainstream economics , neoclassical economics , management science , applied economics , macroeconomics , computer science , ecology , sociology , social science , sustainability , pedagogy , mathematics , artificial intelligence , biology , political science , pure mathematics , law
System dynamics modelling is a technique that is widely used in business, environmental and ecological applications. In the field of economics, however, it is less frequently used, and those that do use it are usually not professionally trained economists. One of the reasons for this is the perceived ideological differences between system dynamics modelling and neoclassical economics. System dynamics is classified in the literature as a heterodox approach. This article utilises a reputable framework from social theory to compare system dynamics modelling and neoclassical economics on ontological and epistemological grounds. This is the first known study to find congruency between these two approaches on this basis. System dynamics modelling has the potential to increase the range of modelling tools at the disposal of neoclassical economics, so long dominated by econometric and general equilibrium modelling approaches.