China Social Science Review

No.2, 2020

The Transformation and Phased Characteristics of the Chinese Economic Research Paradigm: An Analysis Based on the Economic Research Journal (1980-2019)

(Abstract)

Zhou Wen, Zhao Guoqing and Zhou Mingming

Combing through 40 years of papers in the Economic Research Journal, we found that the research paradigm of Chinese economics has changed greatly; the mainstream paradigm now involves the widespread application of mathematization and modeling. This trend not only promoted the standardization and internationalization of Chinese economics, but also made research deviate from the correct direction. Research that simply copies Western mathematical models grows further and further away from Chinese realities and lags far behind the great practice of reform and opening up. The readjusted research of Chinese economics should use Chinese theory to explain Chinese practice and face major real issues, should focus on building the theoretical system of socialist economics with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and set up a discourse system of Chinese economics which will reverse the tendency of excessive mathematization, modeling and quantitative analysis.