Abstract

Some basic tools of modern approach to the "Economic of Institutions" are shown to be useful to develop an "Economics of Economics" that may throw some light on the nature of the "Institutions of Economics". The "over-supply" of mathematics, that characterizes modern Economics, can be explained by the value that mathematical techniques have as screening and as signalling devices. The emphasis, which is placed on the assumption of maximizing behaviour, is claimed to be one of the most typical example of this type of "overproduction". Economic Research may be biased by the economic incentives of Economists. Individual economists' incentives to abate screening costs or to signal their abilities may well diverge from the purpose of Economics to explain and to improve the working of economic systems.