This brief responds to the criticism that mainstream economics is currently facing due to its
heavy reliance on models and narrow range of quantitative research techniques. It takes a
broader view identifying issues that are also relevant for heterodox and pluralist approaches
to economics. By acknowledging that the world of theory is not the same as the reality that we
are trying to understand the brief focuses on three paths that generally receive little
attention. These are: from theory to the real world from theory to empirical analysis and
from empirical results to policy application. Each path highlights a range of related concerns
and qualifications and the focus on these transitions provides a strong basis for critical
evaluation of analyses and potentially more realistic results and recommendations. It also
provides a framework for synthesizing information from alternative schools of thought and
across disciplines. In addition the importance of framing and rhetoric is demonstrated. The
brief addresses philosophical and methodological issues using a clear non-technical approach
that can be easily understood by a non-specialist audience.
