Sustainability citizenship through economics education Contributions from the German debate on business ethics

Abstract

Criticism of an economics education usurped by neoclassical economics has become louder and more explicit, especially following the recent crisis. Economics and economics education often seem disconnected, disinterested and helpless. This article discusses contributions from the field of (German) business ethics, notably integrative economics ethics to an economics education centred around a responsible citizen, empowering him/her to lead a sustainable life in contemporary society. Starting with a discussion of contrarian approaches, the building blocks of a sustainability citizen will be developed which can serve as an educational ideal of an enlightened economics education along the lines of a good life.