I don’t see this as a grade inflation issue, as we see these type of grade requirements in core classes at many other (much less selective) schools, especially for the more rigorous majors. Moving a student on to an upper level economics class, when they couldn’t “master” the intro classes, isn’t doing the student any favors.
At Harvard, not getting a B would be a clear warning sign (based on how bright any student must be to be at Harvard) that economics may not be the right fit…
Of course, now I’m falling into the old grade inflation argument. Are the grades higher because the students are smarter? Or is it because the grading is easier? I say it doesn’t matter either way, and that these grade requirements have likely been in place for decades.
Then again, if we find that back in the 80’s the requirement was a C, and now it’s a B-, we’re back to talking about grade inflation…