Economics can only be called a science with the fundamental underlying feature of game theory, explaining it.

I studied economics for two years at college and dropped out for various reasons. I'll just jump right into it. Game theory is a field concerned with how decisions should be made given constraints. The dominant theory governing the workings of the individual is called, rational-self-interest. In rational self-interest one predicates the need for goods or products on the needs of the individual, which have consistently been proven to be insatiable. Its kind of a joke amongst economists that had people been satisfied with anything they buy, consumption would come to an abrupt slow-down. To actually do this though is quite evil in terms of morality; I mean, to turn wants into dissatisfied states. Jesus thought there were higher values that the profit motive; but, not much has changed human nature in such regards. People continue and will continue to want things and continue the manufacturing of goods.

Now, not to make this thread too shallow I want to point out that because cooperation has been so vital to the survival of the human species. Cooperative strategies in game theory usually arise around or because-of the workings of contracts of the law. However, because the law has been for a while concerned with the rational self-interest of not individuals; but, cooperative strategies and rational actors abiding in every legal agreement with rational self-interest, then what can one say about this? Has the complete subversion of the needs of consumers been accomplished? I'm no Marxist; but, one has to really think about how your needs are being subverted by the calculus of rational self-interest by those who profit the most from making or changing laws the most. Actual individuals don't have the time or resources to make or change laws, special interest groups do, as well as the rich, funding them.

Proceeding, why is cooperation important? From the birth of humanity to this point in day, we have cooperated in groups of individuals to overcome and support ourselves with consensus about how to behave. Even though it may take us many more years to understand game theory in terms of how throughout our evolution we have behaved in relationships which have promoted our survival, then what greater need could there possibly be than the understanding of how cooperation is instilled in relations? Because cooperation is actually based on social contract theory, then one can infer that the law is the highest arbiter of cooperation or its violation in a contract. As an American, from what history can tell us, deterrence and rational self-interest has been hailed as the norm of social contract theory. In Europe, the situation looks a lot different. Europe's existence is actually predicated on the nature of cooperation between countries forming the European Union. Had I studied economics again, or if I return to college to do so, it would definitely not be the dismal aspect of economics in the US; but, of the fundamental economics of the European Union, and with that a detailed analysis if their aspect of cooperative game theory is leading to better results. Just because Gross Domestic Product can look higher in the US, the EU is doing more (and compounding more) with their lower Gross Domestic Product. It is fundamental in any cooperative strategy that the pooling of resources leads to more efficient use of those very resources, with advances in technology being equal. People don't see this aspect of GDP.

I want to say more; but, I will recap on why economics is in a dismal state. The current Overton window in the US and Europe has been hijacked by conservativism proselytizing their enamor with capitalism. I mean, Europe has to actually beat a dead horse when confronted with an American about how they aren't socialists; but, social democrats. Its really sad with what happened with Brexit. The more parties in a relationship, the easier the goal is to gain from less rather than spending more for the same amount. Anyway, I believe that cooperation leads to better results, and with the bloated concern with rational self-interest and egotism and deterrence, we are living in a fearful and less efficient state than possible. How to overcome it is something I hope the reader might mention or analyze with regards to the OP.

Comments and thoughts welcome.