Islamic macroeconomics?

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to offer a new perspective on the strictly microeconomic nature of all of Islamic economics. Writers in this field continue to work in the mainstream tradition without noticing the micro‐interface of the theoretical nature of Islamic economics. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a comparative study of received literature in the history of economic thought and contrasts the ethical foundations of Islamic economics from the mainstream dichotomy between microeconomic and macroeconomic parts.

Findings

There is a cogent microeconomic foundation of Islamic economics for the economy‐wide treatment of ethical economic issues and problems including the policy framework.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical exploration. The empirical part is yet to be expanded upon.

Practical implications

The paper has practical implications for graduate students on policy formulation and economic theorizing, by making them analytically aware on the extensive relevance of microeconomics in the building block of ethical content of economic theory, policy and institutions.

Originality/value

The paper presents original thinking along lines of microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic theory from the social and ethical vantage points of Islamic economics and finance that writers in this field should not ignore. The paper is meant for serious students and academics of economic theory and ethical social policy embedded in the economic treatment.

Citation

Alam Choudhury, M. (2006), "Islamic macroeconomics?", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 160-186. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290610642238