The performativity thesis and the interactions between economic theories and social reality

Abstract

Originally proposed by philosopher of language John Austin, and later adapted by other social sciences, the performativity thesis has been known as a critique of the homo economicus of mainstream economics. The performativity of economics is the idea that economics gives birth to activities and markets in the economy (rather than merely describe or interpret them). This paper reviews arguments for and against performativity as a useful way of thinking about the economics-economy relationship. Following this survey, we put forward our interpretation, viz., an interactive approach to this subject. By doing so, we argue for its epistemological relevance for economic methodology, i.e., for understanding the relationship between theories and economic models and the events in the economy. Furthermore, we claim that because they are embedded in social reality, mainstream economic theories occupy a particularly resilient position.

O estilo de raciocínio e a influência da ciência econômica

“…Para utilizar a formulação de McCloskey (1992), a educação na ciência econômica carrega o ideal de que o estudante começará a "pensar como economista" (McCloskey, 1992, p. 238). Mas, mais do que se restringir aos estudantes de economia, por meio da articulação do estilo de raciocínio e elementos na realidade, a ciência econômica pode moldar a visão dos indivíduos a respeito da realidade econômica (Neris Jr.; Fucidji; Almeida, 2021).…”