Research Interest

Developed countries, including Japan, have constructed a socio-economic system termed the welfare state system. This system has a number of problems and is in serious crisis. We live in the era of what has been called “the Great Transformation”. The purpose of my research is to find a new socio-economic system. In order to achieve this goal, I am focusing my research on two themes. The first is to find a moral framework to judge the goodness of socio-economic systems. The second is to formulate a new social security system. Through the pursuit of these two aims of research, I would like to find a new socio-economic system.

Lectures and Seminars

Teaching Experience

Principles of economic policy (Undergraduate)
In this course, students will learn the general theories of economic policy in order to systematically understand economic policies. Lectures will cover the following: purposes of economic policy, means of economic policy, economic policy decision-making, and schools of economic policy. All lectures will be conducted in Japanese.

Economic Ethics and Thoughts Ⅰ (Undergraduate)
It is necessary to have not only economic viewpoints but also ethical viewpoints in order to understand economic issues. In this lecture, the students will learn what kind of ethical behavior is demanded by economic actors. Lectures will cover the following: corporate social responsibility, ethical issues regarding works, and ethical issues regarding consumption. All lectures will be conducted in Japanese.

Economic Thoughts (Graduate/ Postgraduate)
In this course, students will learn about some important schools of economics in their historical contexts. Lectures will cover the following: classical liberalism (Adam Smith), Marxism (Karl Marx), neo-liberalism, and neo-socialism. All lectures will be conducted in Japanese.

Seminars (Undergraduate)

In this seminar, third year students will debate and make presentations about some social and economic topics. Students will obtain knowledge of these topics and improve their communication skills. Fourth year students will write their graduation theses about a topic of their choice.

Seminars (Graduate/ Postgraduate)

In this seminar, students will do research about schools of economics and write their master’s thesis or doctoral thesis. Economic thinkers chosen by previous students include A. Sen, J.M. Keynes, J.K. Galbraith, and J. Messner.

Message

You live in the era of great transformation. It is you who will build a new socio-economic system. Consequently, I want you to deliberate on what problems can be found in our current socio-economic system, and how those problems might be solved.

Publications

1. “Economic system theory of Philipp Herder-Dorneich”, Keisoshobo, 2001.
2. “New Movements in Economic Ethics”, The Kokumin-Keizai Zasshi, Vol191, No.5, 2005.
3. “Reform of Social Security Systems in Germany”, The Kokumin-Keizai Zasshi, Vol.194, No.4, 2006.
4. “Crisis of Welfare State and Revival of Economic Ethics,” Keisoshobo, 2016.

Contact

E-mail

tnago(at)econ.kobe-u.ac.jp

Office hours

Thursdays 12:30pm～13:00pm (except for public holidays)