1)
I am passionate about the theories and the larger concepts in
economics, but I am dismayed at the possible fact that NUs Econs is
mainly driven by mathematical rigour and not theory. (I read this
somewhere in the forums but i forgot the link) As someone who
enjoys writing economics essays, this knowledge is certainly quite
a big shock to me because i dislike having to do complex
mathematics.
Is the above fact true, or is it
just a myth? If it is true, why is it so?
***
Not entirely correct...the math can
be heavy, but that's because if you could back qualitative
statements with quantitative means, a theory can be studied from
yet another perspectives.
Not every branch of Economics is all
about math. Some like transaction cost theories, philosophical
economics, have little math involved because of the associated
difficulties.
If you are asking about financial,
international, or even better, quantitative economics, then of
course math would be rigorous there!
If you like Economics but aren't
terribly besotted with the math, then look for fields within
Economics that you are keen on, and work towards them. Appreciate
them for what they are and do not try to avoid the math. What is
the point?
The true difficulty of the math in
any case, is not the execution of it. Why should that be? Anybody
who does the 10 years series, or the computer softwares for the
matter, can do it.
It is the design and formulation of the math
behind the problem-solving that is truly
difficult.
You will need to be more than good at
math to excel at Economics. You must be creative, and you must be
curious. And you must know what you are
doing.
Saying that you like the "larger
theories" but dislike the math, is the equivalent of saying that
you like managing people at work, but you dislike what they are
doing anyway. Are you then sure you are up for Economics, the Queen
of the Social Sciences?
