Today’s discussion, What does it mean to be an Economist?, is part of our Rethinking Economics series and was recorded in August 2025.
Dr. Gevorkyan received his bachelor’s degree in international trade and finance from Louisiana State University, two master’s in economics from The New School and Louisiana State University, and his Ph.D. in economics from The New School. He is an expert on Central Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union economies. He is the author of numerous journals and articles, as well as the author of two books: Transition Economies and Financial Deepening and Post-Crisis Development in Emerging Markets. He is a professor and Henry George Chair in Economics at St. John’s University, as well as a board member at the Henry George School.
Dr. Gevorkyan discussed what the St. John’s curriculum entails, why economists tend to defend current paradigms instead of discovering new ones, and what type of economist he wants his students to become.