"This is a sentence not taught in the schools" - T S Eliot
It is no good teaching economics in schools, because the profession of economist, having been politicised for much of the 20th century, has now been farmed out to the same banks that drive the system. Economists are not supposed to analyse and criticise the "free market economy", they are supposed to cheerlead it, in exchange for which they get paid multiples of academic salaries. It is no good learning sound economic facts at school if, the moment they get to university, would be economists start training to be PR consultants for the status quo.
As for the little Eliot quote in my title, the sentence referred to is "Kings are sent by God, chancellor richly rules." And that is part of the problem. Politicians depend on income from donations, and can also pass laws that enrich themselves (like buy for let legislation, from which a number of them like Blair and Blunkett have profited.) They don't care if the system is broken so long as they are all right,and they can load the dice so that they are.
In corrupt Russia, the Duma is currently reviewing a law which will fund political parties based on their votes, and ban donations and lobbying. It may be complete window dressing, but the idea is sound.