It was time to re-evaluate various economics teachings which emphasize on competition. Some people hope neoclassical economics that has been dominating the teaching and study of economics in most universities in Indonesia to be changed.
In addition to be in contrast to the value of togetherness and family, neoclassical mainstream economics is considered as “full of western’s liberalism and individualism ideology”. It can be seen from some text books used on very many campuses in Indonesia. "The ideology is certainly contradictory and is opposed because it morally and ethically leads to marginalize the poor or the weak," Prof. Dr. Sri Edi Swasono said, Thursday (28/4), in his speech as keynote speaker in the book discussion Think Big in Cooperatives: Notes of 36 years of Kospin JASA.
The school of structuralists who is sensitive to inequality, in the view of Sri Edi Swasono, serves as the main party who oppose to the existence of neoclassical economics mainstream. The mainstream neoclassical economics is oriented towards search for the maximum satisfaction (maximizing satisfaction) and maximum profit (maximizing profit). "It means they do not care about the common interests of the whole community," he explained.
Therefore, according to Sri Edi Swasono, the state should intervene and does not leave the fate of the people and state’s interests to the desires of the free market. Not only that, the state is expected to be able to design and organize the economy to manifest the prosperity and social justice in society. "Togetherness and cooperation are the key because, after all, economic democracy which prioritizes the community (public-interest or social-interest) is better than the interests of individuals (self-interest)," he said.
The book discussion is the result collaboration of the UGM’s Community Economy Study Center and the Savings and Loans Cooperative of JASA (Kospin JASA). The event also presented some other speakers, such as Prof. Dr. Mochammad Maksum, Dr. Revrisond Baswir, M.B.A., Drs. Dumairy, M.A., and H.A. Zaky Arslan Djunaidi. There was a declaration of Political Economy Association of Indonesia (AEPI) Branch of Yogyakarta in the event.