"The ultimate unit for economic consideration is the family... When cultural, religious and philosophical traditions become weak, the disintegration of family begins. Individuals become greedy for security. Once general greed takes over, the economic structure begins to crack."                              Śrī Śāntānanda Sarasvatī

What is Economics?

The Dismal Science? (National) Household Management? The social study of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services?

However one looks at economics, the question is whether phenomena such as boom and bust cycles together with grinding poverty and injustice are indeed natural or necessary. A belief to the contrary was the founding inspiration of the School of Economic Science (with which the School of Practical Philosophy in Gauteng is affiliated) amidst the depression and despair of the 1930s. Guided by the belief that truth and justice should guide its studies, the School examined the natural laws governing relations between people living in society.

It found inspiration and insights in the writings of, inter alia, Henry George who highlighted the key significance of access to land and natural resources, a topic of particular relevance to South Africa.

Today, following the same inspiration, economics is studied and taught in the School as economics-with-justice, or JustEconomics. This is an approach to economics with justice at its heart, an approach that offers new perspectives on economic thought and practices.

Just Economics