经济学该如何“生长”

Core Viewpoint - The discussions at the recent China Economic Annual Conference highlighted the need for economic research to be more relevant to real-world issues and policy challenges, emphasizing the importance of balancing practical application with theoretical exploration [3][4][6] Group 1: Economic Research Relevance - There is a consensus among scholars that economic research should respond to real-world issues and policy needs, but it should not equate policy demand with academic value [4] - The vitality of economics lies in both practical application and unique theoretical research, suggesting that an overemphasis on immediate applicability may marginalize long-term theoretical exploration [4][5] Group 2: Institutional Constraints - The current academic journal evaluation system is identified as a key constraint, shaping the standards and preferences of peer review, which may lead to a rigid adherence to certain methodologies [5] - The existing system is intertwined with the habits and interests of the academic community, making reform challenging and requiring sincere self-reflection and dialogue within the community [5] Group 3: Scholar Development - Young scholars face the expectation to excel in both theoretical and policy-oriented research, but the demands of each path differ significantly, leading to potential career anxiety [5] - There is a call for recognition of diverse career paths within the evaluation mechanisms, allowing both theoretical innovators and practical experts to receive fair acknowledgment and foster collaboration [5][6] Group 4: Future Directions - The discussions reflect a collective concern within the economics community about how to engage with reality while maintaining independent critical thinking and a broader perspective [6] - There is a need for the academic community to actively drive change rather than passively adapt, and to create a more flexible ecosystem that supports diverse talents and research interests [6]