Economic Pluralism as a Right: Rethinking Education for a Sustainable Future

Children are introduced to religion through their family, community, and school. While they may practice a religion and its traditions they do become familiar with other beliefs. Most schools make their students aware of the diversity of faiths in the world. We don’t offer the same experience with regards to economics. In Global North societies, students only learn neoclassical economics (de Muijnck & Tieleman, 2024; Fauser & Kaskel, 2016; The Members of the PEPS-Economie Students’ Association, 2014). In fact, prime minister Margaret Thatcher even stated that there is no alternative for liberal capitalism (Bateman, 2002). This lack of alternatives in economics could not have been further from reality as there are many alternatives developed in history and new ones are being developed. Yet, the taken for granted norms and assumptions in neoclassical economics continue to shape our lives, policies, and societies (Bateman, 2002) and its drive for continuous growth in GDP threatens the very planet that sustains us (Kallis et al., 2025).

I stand with those before me, and champion the right of children to explore diverse economic paradigms. Just as schools introduce multiple religions to broaden understanding and foster respect for different worldviews, they should also embrace economic pluralism. Exposing students to a range of economic ideas should not only be for those majoring in it. It is essential for cultivating informed citizens who can challenge assumptions, envision alternatives, and shape economies that lead to a more inclusive and sustainable global society.