Family, Health, and Institutional Economics
Paper Session
Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (PST)
- Chair: Ioana Negru, University of Lucian Blaga Sibiu
The ‘Joy of Motherhood’ as an Enabling Myth of Neoliberalism & Patriarchy
Abstract
A core enabling myth of neoliberalism is the ‘joy of motherhood’. This myth reinforces patriarchal and cultural norms pushing women into choosing motherhood (and doing the majority of caring necessary for social reproduction). As women gain economic freedom and gender equity, they challenge this myth and are less likely to choose motherhood. This decision is receiving substantial pushback & retaliation in attempts to maintain the power structures of neoliberalism and patriarchy.U.S. Health Care Institutions and the Epidemic of Trauma
Abstract
Several health outcomes in the US – physical and mental – are well-below those of other OECD countries (for example, life expectancy, maternal mortality and diabetes prevalence are higher than the OECD average) despite spending more than any other country per capita ($12,555 p.c in the US compared with the OECD average of $5,000 p.c.) on health (OECD, 2023). The health care institutions that are specific to US are a product of both financialization and monopoly, that characterize 21st century capitalism. The for-profit health care system including the private health insurance system, in the US prioritizes profits over people’s health. This system is simply not sustainable. The role that these institutions play in undermining people’s health is increasingly being recognized by public health scholars and medical professionals. In this paper we look at how mental health issues are dealt with in the US health care system. In particular, we focus on what many psychiatrists and psychologists are calling “an epidemic of trauma”. They identify trauma – both traumatic events and developmental trauma – as the basis for mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and addiction which can then manifest in physical health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. We analyze the role played by health care providers, health insurance companies, and the pharmaceutical drug industry in understanding this “epidemic of trauma” and suggest how specific institutional changes can better meet the mental (and physical) health needs of Americans and create a more sustainable health care system.The Formation of Altruistic Preferences: An Institutional Perspective
Abstract
Both neoclassical/mainstream economics and New Institutionalism share a common understanding of individual preferences and their formation: the preferences are exogenous and do not require further explanation. ‘Old’ Institutionalism does not take the individual as ‘given’ and presupposes that economic behavior cannot be explained solely by rationality theory, utility maximization and decision-making. The important question is what does explain preferences: is it existing institutions, wealth, technology, class, self-interest, or tradition? Negru (2007) argued that the Austrian view of rationality is broad enough to customize altruistic preferences and gift-giving actions. This paper wishes to demonstrate that a progressive type of capitalism requires institutions and/or incentives that nourish gift-giving and altruistic preferences in order to strive for a better society. The paper contextualizes this question in relation to Boettke’s vision of the future of Austrian economics (and further engagement with institutionalist issues) and Hodgson’s critique of the limited institutionalism in the Austrian tradition.JEL Classifications
- J0 - General
- I0 - General