Indonesian Economists Debate President Prabowo's View on Economics as 'Simple Science'

Indonesian economists have responded to President Prabowo Subianto's characterization of economics as a simple science, with differing views on its implications. Rahma Gafmi, an economist from Airlangga University, stated that economics is a complex discipline requiring knowledge of econometrics, history, philosophy, politics, and culture. She argued that modern economics extends beyond basic supply and demand curves or macroeconomic figures.

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So it's not as simple as what President Prabowo conveyed.

Gafmi explained that while academic and theoretical perspectives demand cross-disciplinary depth for robust policy formulation, policymakers often face pragmatic pressures requiring quick decisions amid political challenges. She emphasized the need for an adaptive policy architecture firmly rooted in data.

Meanwhile, Syafruddin Karimi, an economist from Andalas University, suggested that Prabowo's statement could democratize economic understanding by demystifying jargon and explaining policies in accessible language. However, he warned of the risk that this simplification might lead to an underestimation of professional expertise, models, statistics, and critique.

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The president holds the political mandate to set the direction, but that mandate must not close off scientific correction.

"The president holds the political mandate to set the direction, but that mandate must not close off scientific correction," Karimi stated. He added that economic science should serve as a rational safeguard, preventing political beliefs from translating into costly policies without proper testing. Prabowo himself had previously described economic principles as easily understandable, likening them to managing a small coffee stall.

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If you open a small shop, that's economics. How much is the cost of one cup of coffee? How much is it sold for? The difference is profit, save the profit.