The first full program of courses in political economy at an Australian university began in 1975. It was in the product of a long struggle by a dissident student-staff movement at the University of Sydney, campaigning for a PE course that students could take as an alternative to mainstream economics.
The struggle took place at a time when social activism in Australia was developing on many fronts – feminist, environmentalist, anti-apartheid and anti-imperialist, for peace and Indigenous peoples’ rights. It was a context in which the local activists’ success in getting a PE course up and running contributed to the view that ‘another world is possible’ because it showed that formally powerless groups can make a difference in driving change.
The early PE activists hoped that similar course programs would be established at other universities, and many struggled to try to make it happen. The Australian Political Economy Movement (APEM) was formed in 1976 to provide nationwide support and set up the Journal of Australian Political Economy (JAPE). as its flagship publication. In practice, however, the development of PE courses beyond Sydney Uni turned out to be more sporadic, usually depending on the personal interests and comings and goings of academic staff at those other universities. Moreover, the changing social, political and economic context has become less conducive to initiatives of this kind than it was in the 1970s.
Progressive political economic influences have continued to come along other avenues, however, often with former PE graduates in the key positions to have some influence. The need for critique of the status quo and the broadened range of channels through which the critical voices can be expressed has created a restless dynamic in which alternatives to mainstream economics have recurrent influence.
This new issue of JAPE assesses these experiences by taking stock of the achievements and the ongoing challenges. It seeks to learn from past struggles and to assess the prospects for future developments. It addresses university struggles for alternative PE courses, together with matters relating to teaching, research and activism. It also looks beyond the educational sphere, considering the opportunities and constraints ‘out there’ in the economy and society. Seen in this way, passing the 50-year milestone creates the opportunity for a retrospective on the nature of the journey and for consideration of possible future directions.
The new journal issue begins with short contributions by 18 former students of political economy who reflect on how their university education has related to their subsequent career choices and personal life experiences. These articles are presented in alphabetical order of the authors’ names, beginning with Anthony Albanese.
Longer articles follow, beginning with a cluster on the origins, nature and influence of political economy.
Steve Keen describes the original struggles and what followed, drawing lessons from five decades of challenge to an unyielding economic orthodoxy.
Geoff Dow assesses the nature and state of economic heterodoxy, illustrated by portraits of five Australian political economists painted by an artist who he commissioned for this purpose.
Recognising political economy’s internal heterodoxy, Bill Dunn probes what it means to implement pluralism in teaching practice, pointing to potential pitfalls and ways in which they may be addressed.
Turning to how political economy can have influence beyond academia, the article by Eliza Littleton and Barbara Pocock discusses the possibilities and frustrations of seeking progressive political economic change through parliamentary processes.
Jim Stanford considers the experience of linking political economy with the labour movement, including a case study of the Centre for Future Work that he originated.
Looking through the lens of ‘leadership’, Paul Porteous assesses political economy’s actual and potential contributions to societal change
The next set of articles discusses specific fields within political economy.
Elizabeth Hill and Gabrielle Meagher focus on teaching feminist political economy, showing its evolving character.
Stuart Rosewarne considers how political economists have responded to the challenge of climate change and the need for ecological perspectives.
Gavan Butler focuses on teaching the political economy of development, pointing to how it has reflected the understandings of development processes and challenges.
Rod O’Donnell assesses the importance of philosophy in relation to political economy, arguing that the former is crucial for the latter.
Kurt Iveson assesses the connection between political economy and geography, coming together as spatial political economy.
Joy Paton broadens the field yet further by looking at art and political economy, emphasising the importance of images that reflect, influence and shape our understandings.
Greg Crough then discusses research into transnational corporations, drawing on his own experience in working with Ted Wheelwright and in both public and private economic sectors.
The final four articles provide insights into the obstacles and possibilities for progress.
Tim Anderson looks at the changing nature of universities since the PE struggle began, emphasising a corporate managerialism that has become much more hostile to recent expressions of dissent.
Evan Jones provides an analysis of the HSC Economics curriculum, casting light on why enrolments have been in the doldrums for so long and pointing towards curriculum re-design that would better reflect a PE perspective.
Dennis Venter and Mahesti Hasanah, postgrad students at The University of Sydney, describe what Rethinking Economics Australia is currently doing to challenge economic orthodoxy.
Finally, Frank Stilwell draws some of these threads together into a consideration of PE’s overall achievements, disappointments, ongoing challenges and prospects.
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