Economic Discourse Research Articles

What counts as productive? Redefining ‘producers’ in economic discourse, 1890–1960

In this paper, we analyse economic discourse in debates over the production boundary, asking how the boundaries around economic categories change over time. Using a sample of economic textbooks from the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century we analyse the evolution of the category of productive labour, finding that in the mid-twentieth century economists came to cohere around a conceptualization of productive activity that framed productive labour as any utility that was paid for on a market. Central to this outcome was the development of national accounting statistics that economists came to adopt in their analytical toolkit, which rendered invisible unpaid labour activities. Through this case we can see that statistical representations of the economy can redefine theoretical concepts and redraw the boundaries around economic categories, in this case transforming the boundary of productive labour into that of paid labour.

The Many Republics of Hunger

This article is the Sixth Sam Moyo Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor Utsa Patnaik during the SMAIAS/ASN Summer School on January 16, 2023, in Harare. Professor Patnaik argues that the discourse in development economics is so completely dominated by fallacious ideas emanating from the conservative economics departments of universities in advanced industrial countries, and economists in the Global South tend to be so completely hegemonized by these fallacious ideas that they pay little or no attention to long-term trends in their own economies that impact adversely the welfare of the poorest of their own populations. A most important long-term trend—to be precise, the trend over the last four decades of neoliberal policies—has been the declining per capita consumption of food grains in countries of the Global South, associated with their increasing opening up to free trade under the incessant pressure of industrial nations.

The allegory of the ice-nine in Cat's Cradle and its return to the economic area in The Road to Ruin

The purpose of this article is to investigate the concept of the ice-nine, both in the literary work of Kurt Vonnegut and in its reapplication in the field of economics by James Rickards. The study, structured in two parts and based on bibliographical research, seeks to explore these themes. The first part, entitled "The ice-nine in Cat's Cradle ", examines the context in which the ice-nine appears in Vonnegut's novel, using as theoretical support authors such as Mikhail Bakhtin (2002, 2013), who addresses the methodology for the study of the novel and the polyphonic characteristic in Dostoevsky's work; Lélia Parreira Duarte (1994), who explores the function of irony; Boaventura de Sousa Santos (2008), who discusses the crisis of the modern scientific paradigm; as well as Flávio R. Kothe (1986) and João Adolfo Hansen (2006), who deal with allegory. The second part, entitled "James Rickards' adaptation of the ice-nine", analyzes the appropriation of the concept in economic discourse and its new meaning in this context. This analysis is based on authors such as Edward Said (2011), who discusses culture and imperialism; Walter Mignolo (2002), who explores the creation of the imaginary within the colonial/modern system; D.N. McCloskey (1996) and Pérsio Arida (2003), who investigate the use of rhetoric and methodological debates in economics; and Thiago Martins Prado (2020), who reflects on the use of literary strategies in economic discourses.

INTEGRATING ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION WITH ECONOMIC DISCOURSE: PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES FOR ECONOMICS STUDENTS

The integration of English language instruction with economic discourse is essential for preparing economics students to participate in global professional environments. This article explores pedagogical approaches for merging English for Specific Purposes (ESP) with economics education, focusing on Content-Based Instruction (CBI), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and the use of authentic materials. These methods enhance both language proficiency and economic literacy, allowing students to develop the communicative and analytical skills necessary to thrive in international economic contexts. The article also discusses challenges, such as varying English proficiency levels and interdisciplinary collaboration, offering solutions for more effective teaching practices.

Narratives embedded in Faccini's novel to comment on economic concepts and phenomena

The aim of this paper is to analyze some of the interlocking narratives present in chapters four and twelve of Leonardo Faccini's The Living Face of Money, checking the link between the use of the narrative technique and the presentation of the history of economic thought. The following scholars were used as the main theoretical guidelines: Todorov (2006), to introduce the concept of embedded narrative; Prado (2011), to discuss the repercussions of the narrative embedding technique in the contemporary world; and Oliveira and Gennari (2009), to explain the contexts of enunciation of the various economic discourses addressed by Faccini's work, among others. It looks at how the technique of embedded narratives from the literary tradition contributes to the presentation of economic ideas and concepts. Based on the analysis of these narrative fittings, the political-ideological project in Faccini's novel is evaluated.

Labor market dynamics in developing countries: analysis of employment transformation at the macro-level

Understanding labor market dynamics remains a pivotal aspect within contemporary economic discourse, as necessitates the pursuit of effective employment models to ensure steady progress in the conditions of changes in the economic structure. The aim of the research is to examine the dynamics of the labor market in developing countries, with particular emphasis on China and Kazakhstan, taking into account economic, social, and technological trends. The methodology includes the analytic and comparison of trends in the labor market in developing countries, such as China and Kazakhstan over the past 20 years, and also monitoring the socio-economic nature of the labor process. The study identified changes in the labor market and provided empirical evidence for new forms of employment, utilizing comparative analysis and data visualization of the sectoral structure of the economy and global labor market trends up to 2027. The obtained results provide three main conclusions: a decrease in demand for low-skilled workers and an increase in demand for highly qualified individuals; the emergence of jobs with low levels of social protection; new forms of employment-oriented towards workers outside the social security system, domestic workers, and self-employed individuals. These types of employment can fill jobs in platform and piecework economies, cooperativism, and the sharing economy, which allows employers in developing markets to optimize employment. The findings of the study can contribute to understanding the functioning of the labor market in developing countries including the development of small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and innovative projects, and may be applicable in the development of economic and social policies for sustainable economic growth and social stability.

Toiling for oil: Daqing, real utopias and the production of livelihood in communist China

This dialogical interrogation of Hou Li’s important history of Daqing examines the contradictions of structure and agency in the building of communist China’s first oil city. Three provocations are raised. Two relate to ecology: the first on the ecological dimension of extractivism, which requires careful consideration in light of the current status of CO2 emissions per capita, with China accounting for about half the emissions of fossil fuel exporters like Australia; the second on how extractivism and decarbonization can be considered in light of recent claims that the US military was the world’s largest consumer of hydrocarbons in 2019. The third relates to the ambiguity of the term “capital” in economic discourse, which invariably finds its way into cognate scholarly disciplines, such as historical inquiry and urban planning.

Reproductive futures within a context of uterus transplants in India.

Reproduction is considered a core event in a cisgender heterosexual woman's life. Several hierarchies exist within the field of reproduction, with reproduction being privileged among people from dominant races, classes, castes, ages, and abilities. In this paper, I explore uterine transplantion as an emerging mode of reproduction, which privileges the experience of pregnancy in addition to genetic relatedness, specifically within the Indian context. The focus is on the socio-cultural and economic discourses surrounding the marketisation of reproductive technologies and how these recalibrate social and familial dynamics concerning reproduction. I argue that the mobilisation of the language of reproduction as a right could potentially transform into reproduction as a duty. Reproductive biopolitics is used as a lens to think through the value of wombs in relation to the bodies they inhabit, and the pressures the marketisation of wombs puts on both recipients and donors.

Ellipses of the participle, the subject noun phrase in participle constructions and their explication based on the English-language economic discourse

Ellipses of the participle, the subject noun phrase in participle constructions and their explication based on the English-language economic discourse

Análisis económico del derecho de las medidas no-convencionales del Banco Central Europeo

This study delves into the significance and effectiveness of unconventional monetary policy measures adopted by central banks within the current economic policy framework. These measures are employed when conventional tools prove inefficient in stimulating or stabilizing the economy, influencing interest rates, inflation, and economic activity. The hypothesis will be tested through quantitative analysis, encompassing macroeconomic data and time series analysis, and examining various economic schools and theories. Additionally, potential long-term problems associated with these measures will be explored. The expected conclusions of this analysis aim to demonstrate that unconventional measures implemented by central banks have the potential to significantly impact the economy, particularly during economic crises. It is anticipated that “Quantitative Easing” will provide increased liquidity to the financial system and lower long-term interest rates. Furthermore, the study will assess potential side effects, such as income inequality, financial risks, price distortions, or the formation of asset bubbles. This research underscores the critical importance of unconventional monetary policies in contemporary economic discourse while scrutinizing their long-term implications.

Online sex workers’ absence from gig economy discourse: The politics of seeing in the neoliberal sexual agenda

Online sex workers’ absence from gig economy discourse: The politics of seeing in the neoliberal sexual agenda

Politik Pencitraan Partai PDIP Jawa Barat terhadap Ganjar Pranowo dalam Menghadapi Pilpres 2024

This research investigates the political image strategy adopted by the West Java Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) towards a potential figure, Ganjar Pranowo, in facing the 2024 Presidential Election. Based on a constructivist paradigm with a qualitative approach, this research uses a case study method with a focus on data triangulation. Involving in-depth interviews, content analysis and participant observation, the research aims to explore the political dynamics of imagery and its impact on public perception. The results of content analysis highlight political communication strategies, development of popular economic discourse, use of social media, and image construction through political advertising. The findings show the need to increase strategic integration with local values, the effectiveness of social media, and the concretization of community economic programs. While providing an in-depth look at the political image of the West Java PDIP, this research also presents insights that can contribute to the understanding of political strategy at the local and national level.

Food, glorious food! The intersection of food cultures and creative tourism in Brunei

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to apply the theoretical frameworks of resource-based view (RBV) and Social Creativity to elucidate insights related to food cultures and creative tourism in the context of Brunei. This addresses an important gap in the literature to unpack how food cultures and creative tourism can become a vehicle for the diversification of a country’s reliance on oil and gas as primary industries.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was taken in this research, utilising both primary and secondary data such as social media posts, media reports and semi-structured interviews to shed light on an emerging niche market in Brunei tourism.FindingsThe research revealed the entrepreneurial mindset of local food chefs and enthusiasts in showcasing Bruneian heritage and cultures, supported by government campaigns and technological advances. This lends further evidence that food cultures and creative tourism can be a lever for a national economic diversification strategy and can be validated elsewhere.Research limitations/implicationsThis is one of the first studies to investigate the intersection of the RBV and Social Creativity to advance the theory and practice of tourism in South East Asia.Practical implicationsThe intersection of food cultures and creative tourism within Brunei is dovetailed into the theoretical frameworks of the RBV and Wilson’s Social Creativity Framework. This is evidenced in a diversification strategy emerging from the case study of Brunei, where food is earmarked as a heritage resource and leverages individual, and in particular, young people’s creativity to generate a niche tourism market for the country.Social implicationsThe paper illuminates the role of technology as a vehicle for the discourses of creativity, reflexivity, education and economy to flourish. Through co-created content on social media, food heritage and creative tourism experiences are foregrounded and assisted by the entrepreneurs in reaching their desired audiences. Arguably, such tools helped the country alleviate the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and thrust domestic food tourism experiences into the spotlight, like other destinations.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to investigate the intersection of the RBV and Social Creativity to advance the theory and practice of tourism in South East Asia.

Языковая компрессия на уровне словообразования в английском экономическом дискурсе

The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the structure and semantics of word-formation compressions in English economic discourse. Clarifying the meaning of the term "linguistic compression" gives the author the opportunity to determine the means of expressing compression at the word-formation level in the economic sphere. The research has a scientific novelty, which consists in the fact that as a result of the first comprehensive analysis of the means of compressive word formation in English economic discourse, productive word-formation models were identified and described, as well as the originality of their structure and content was determined. As a result of the study, the predominance of models of compressive word formation formed by word composition was revealed, among which the uncomplicated N + N model, the substantive conversion model V + Prep (Adv), complex phrasal words (collapsed linguistic units) and compound words. It is noted that abbreviation in English economic discourse is a fairly effective way to implement linguistic compression due to the fact that it is characterized by the highest degree of compression. The predominant are initial three-component abbreviations with a substantial basic component, truncated syllabic type abbreviations (apocopa) and graphic abbreviations, characterized by rich semantic content in combination with a compressed form of expression.

Cultural value as meaning-making

ABSTRACT This article defines cultural value as a non-monetary and fundamental expression of the value of culture. It argues that cultural value is constituted through meaning-making and can be characterised as normative, hermeneutic and intersubjectively warranted. Thus understood – even though originally a construct of the discourse of cultural economics and considered a factor shaping the economic value of culture – cultural value sits outside of the purview of contemporary welfare economics. This raises many questions, including how and whether cultural value can be registered in policy which relies on standard economics as its lingua franca; what implications this has for polemics about how value, impact and evidence are framed in cultural policy; and, centrally, what role arts and humanities expertise plays in policy decision-making.

Challenges and Trends in Green Finance in the Context of Sustainable Development—A Bibliometric Analysis

Green finance in the context of sustainable development sits within the broader discourse of environmental economics and sustainable finance. Their integration has become imperative in addressing global challenges, with the aims of understanding how financial mechanisms can be aligned with sustainability goals, investigating the role of green finance in promoting environmentally friendly investments, and fostering sustainable development. This bibliometric analysis explores the evolution, trends, and challenges in green finance research. It examines 436 articles published between 2016 and 2024, revealing insights into influential publications, authors, journals, institutions, and countries engaged in green finance for sustainability. The study identifies China, the UK, and Pakistan as leaders in research output and citation impact. Furthermore, it highlights the interdisciplinary nature of green finance, reflected in diverse publication outlets spanning environmental, social, and economic domains. The analysis underscores the increasing global interest in green finance, as evidenced by the growing citation rates over time. Key findings include the pivotal role of green finance in energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and the promotion of sustainable economic growth. Overall, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continued research efforts in advancing sustainable finance agendas.

Opportunities And Threats Of Historical Evidence And Data Via Corpus-Based Software: A Case Study On Gerard Malynes

The aim of this paper is to exploit the informative nature of datasets that can be created from corpus-based software to explore specific phenomena in early modern specialized discourse, and to corroborate the adoption of the same software for historical analysis. Particular relevance will be devoted to the special nature of historical evidence, which has caused critical issues in the reliability of the data collected for the purpose of historical investigation of English. Spelling variation, in this sense, is one of the most crucial problems of Early Modern English, and this has often affected the reliability of data to be collected via software, especially when statistical findings are involved. The normalisation of historical texts has contributed enormously to make texts better readable for historical corpus analysis; and, consequently, to improve the accuracy and manipulation of data. Moreover, several tools used in corpus linguistics have benefited from the normalisation of spelling variants in the same terms, e.g. part-of-speech taggers for historical variety. This case study will attempt to explore the data retrievable from corpus-based software like VARD, #LancsBox and CQPweb, and to use them to corroborate a preliminary analysis of early modern economics discourse in two treatises written by Gerard Malynes in 1601 and 1623.

Revisiting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Economic Ideologies and Contemporary Relevance

: Research paper delves into the economic ideology of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent social reformer, jurist, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. While Ambedkar is widely recognized for his contributions to social justice and political rights, his perspectives on economics are equally significant. This paper aims to explore Ambedkar's economic philosophy, examining its roots, key principles, and implications for contemporary economic discourse. Through a thorough analysis of his writings, speeches, and policy recommendations, this research seeks to shed light on the relevance and applicability of Ambedkar's economic ideas in the present socio-economic context.

Sustainability in the Czech Republic: From a Green Growth Laggard to a Degrowth Hotspot

The Czech Republic is a notorious laggard in green transition policies. This begs the question of how stable the current socio-political setting is and whether it can resist deeper sustainability transitions in the long run. The paper combines institutional literature with sustainability transition research to describe the current situation and outline possible future developments in terms of the economic discourse. It shows that the reluctance towards the green transition may be caused not only by the strong position of incumbents but also by the limited relevance of the green competitiveness approach for the country’s situation. Based on recent developments and existing vulnerabilities, the paper identifies the possible strengths of the more radical approach to sustainability entailed in degrowth. Rather than a pure hegemony of one of the niche paradigms, however, it proposes as likely a pluriversal pathway combining elements of both in a patchwork manner.

Theorizing Climate Change and the Built Environment in the Islamic World

This special issue of IJIA focuses on the impact of the current climate crisis on built environments in the Islamic world. Covering a diverse number of chronological and geographical contexts, the articles herein consider the effects of climate change on structured landscapes through the lenses of material, design, and architectural practice. They also address the numerous cultural, sociopolitical, and economic discourses that inform the ways in which societies over time and space have solved the complex problems of living in a climatically unstable world. Utilizing architectures of the past, present, and future as spaces of discussion, this special issue highlights the complexities of living in conditions of climatic precarity. In doing so, it demonstrates that built environments can provide important discursive terrains in the Islamic world for understanding the interconnected nature of concepts like ‘climate’, ‘nature’, and ‘environment’ as contextually specific ideas that reflect individual, climate-informed identities.