Preaching economists<\/p>\n
Interestingly, amid mounting public controversy over widening
\ninequality and the allegedly high prevalence of malfeasance and
\nother irregularities that accompany our robust economic growth,
\nnoted Indonesian economists have increasingly been preaching the
\nvalue of conscience, common sense and public morality.<\/p>\n
Widjojo Nitisastro, one of the country's most senior
\neconomists, dedicated most of his speech at the 45th anniversary
\nof the Djakarta School of Economics at the University of
\nIndonesia campus in Depok on Monday to public morality and
\nconscience and not to economic theories, issues or the teaching
\nof economics.<\/p>\n
Widjojo, the architect of Indonesian economic development for
\nmore than two decades, said that schools should produce what he
\ncalls intellectual workers and not handymen or craftsmen. He said
\nhandymen differ from intellectual workers in that they do
\nwhatever their employers order without questioning if the job is
\nagainst their sense of morality or conscience. Intellectual
\nworkers also do what their employers ask, but they question jobs
\nthey reckon contradict their morals and conscience. Intellectual
\nworkers use not only their brains and skills but also common
\nsense and restraint.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Finance Minister Mar'ie Muhammad, a
\nstudent of Widjojo in the late 1960s, initially disappointed his
\naudience at the Bandung Institute of Technology with a speech
\nabout social ethics and their impact on economic efficiency.
\nAfter the initial shock of not being given the usual lecture on
\neconomic development, the audience became quite enthusiastic.
\nMar'ie told the institute's faculty members that however good a
\nsystem might be, it will have loopholes that can be exploited by
\nunscrupulous people. State Minister for Development Planning
\nGinandjar Kartasasmita and State Minister for Transmigration
\nSiswono Yudohusodo have also previously talked about what they
\nbelieve to be the characteristics of good governance.<\/p>\n
Set against the increasing hedonistic and monopolistic
\npractices of greedy businesspeople and the pervasive official
\nview that as long as it is legal it is ethical, the speeches
\ncalling for meaningful self-contemplation are quite refreshing.<\/p>\n
The impressive economic development over the past three
\ndecades has significantly changed portions of our value system.
\nThe economic success has brought with it excesses, as reflected
\nin the way we measure our lives by what we get, what we acquire
\nand who we know. When the economy is considered the most
\nimportant key to unlock every door, it is indeed natural that the
\nworth of man is measured by his role as an economic tool.<\/p>\n
The demands of modern materialism which are generated by the
\nfierce economic competition have made corporeal success -- not
\nthe value of caring, the value of trying hard, the value of being
\ntrustworthy and the value of accountability -- the measure of
\nprestige and achievement. Hence lies the relevance of the
\nmessages conveyed by Widjojo and the three ministers.<\/p>\n
Widjojo's special reference to intellectual workers who, he
\nsaid, tend to ask what is right and what is wrong is a warning
\nthat political and intellectual freedom should not be curbed
\nwhile fierce economic competition is fully unleashed. Otherwise,
\nmoney will reign supreme, conquering cultural and human values.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/preaching-economists-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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