The Power of the Stora Rör Swimming Association and Other Local Institutions
Economist Elinor Ostrom believed in the power of economics to “bring out the best in humans.” The way to do it, she thought, was to help them build community.
Erik Angner is professor of practical philosophy at Stockholm University, where he directs the program in philosophy, politics, and economics. As a result of serious mission creep, he holds two Ph.D.s—one in economics and one in history and philosophy of science—both from the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author, most recently, of How Economics Can Save the World: Simple Ideas to Solve Our Biggest Problems and the best-selling undergraduate textbook A Course in Behavioral Economics (3rd Edition).
Economist Elinor Ostrom believed in the power of economics to “bring out the best in humans.” The way to do it, she thought, was to help them build community.
“Ignorance,” wrote Charles Darwin in 1871, “more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.”
In the mid-60s, Chicago economist Milton Friedman coined the phrase “We’re all Keynesians now.” Half a century later, we might say instead: “We’re all behavioral economists now.”