Salman Ahmed Shaikh Capitalism, the way it is practiced as an economic system, has largely allowed and provided legal cover to certain exploitative institutions and their operations based on free market philosophy. […]
Rather than complimenting humans in their animalistic instincts to keep having one-eyed focus on material well-being only, Islam inculcates piousness, kindness, cooperation and communal responsibility in humans. In some instances, Islam guides explicitly to avoid extravagance, lavishness and using certain products and services which harm a human’s ethical existence and well being either individually and/or harm the society in the process.
In neoclassical growth theories, the emphasis is on increasing savings and technological progress which brings about increase in capital per worker and eventually output per worker. In ‘endogenous growth theory’ models, more sophisticated work has been done by determining the factors which affect the technology, human capital and savings. This article analyzes whether Islamic economic principles have the capacity to help build these elements for sustainable growth and development.
Resources are scarce as compared to unlimited wants. But, the economics of non-rival ideas creation has proved that resources are ample and that physical resources could be used in ways that keeps fulfilling the basic needs of society through the creation of ideas that augment and bring multiplier effect to the availability of given physical resources.
Opportunity cost is a useful concept in economics. This article tries to explain how this concept is used to justify interest. Then, the article also highlights the problem with this approach.
Unrestrained chase of self-interest, moral relativism, incentive-led economic choices and indifference to collective responsibilities has led to engender societies where economic interests have become the solitary basis of establishing and maintaining relationships.
books on introductory economics seldom use naturally un-achievable aspirations in discussing the so called fundamental economic fact. Most of the essential things are really not scarce at all. Food per capita has actually increased since the 1970s as per Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) data.
Islamic Economics Project 