RETHINKING THE EDUCATION OF ECONOMICS IN THE FACE OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

The economic effects that threaten climate change and inequality highlight the need to change the
way society thinks about our relationships as a community. This is why there is an interest in
rethinking the criteria in the way of thinking of the next generations of economists. This situation is
due, in part, to the fact that in the teaching of economics there is an open debate on whether students
act promoted by the pursuit of self-interest, being behaviors typical of the neoclassical paradigm
proposed in its economic models. In this paper, a systematic review of the literature is carried out with
the aim of contrasting whether these behavioral patterns exist in the university community and
whether, therefore, it would be necessary to rethink the economic training received by university
students. Future professionals will be primarily responsible for guiding the social and economic
programs of society. Therefore, these behavioral patterns can be considered counterproductive and
a limitation in the ability to face the challenges of the 21st century.