Good post. Programming would be my vote for higher level subject most useful to individuals. Then economics (given my bias that it’s my area of focus). And really it’s helpful to be proficient in both so you can be a good data analyst.
But I do think you underestimate how important economics is for “how to run a government.” Yes, there are a huge number of near Pareto efficient policies that economists recommend that politicians don’t implement for political reasons, but one of the biggest differences between the wealth of nations is how well they apply the lessons of economics. For the most part, countries have access to the same level of science and technology; some rich countries (Hong Kong) have far less natural resources than many that are much poorer; but some countries do a much better job of implementing a good economic collection of rules and regulations and that’s why they’re so much richer. Teaching economics (especially to the ‘elites’ who will run day run the country) is hugely important for maintaining those policies.
Good post. Programming would be my vote for higher level subject most useful to individuals. Then economics (given my bias that it’s my area of focus). And really it’s helpful to be proficient in both so you can be a good data analyst.
But I do think you underestimate how important economics is for “how to run a government.” Yes, there are a huge number of near Pareto efficient policies that economists recommend that politicians don’t implement for political reasons, but one of the biggest differences between the wealth of nations is how well they apply the lessons of economics. For the most part, countries have access to the same level of science and technology; some rich countries (Hong Kong) have far less natural resources than many that are much poorer; but some countries do a much better job of implementing a good economic collection of rules and regulations and that’s why they’re so much richer. Teaching economics (especially to the ‘elites’ who will run day run the country) is hugely important for maintaining those policies.