General

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Conza88 — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:21:56 GMT

If you don't understand the concept of "Seen and Unseen" by Bastiat and elaborated in "The Lesson" by Hazlitt... I'm hard pressed to consider you an economist. The more the said person fcks it up, the greater the struggle to justify their use of the title.

"From this aspect, therefore, the whole of economics can be reduced to a single lesson, and that lesson can be reduced to a single sentence. The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups."

Keynes = monemental screw up. "Animal spirits" isn't worthy. Witch doctor is a better description of him. He is not an economist.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Jon Irenicus — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:10:46 GMT

So I'm curious...

Mankiw, Stiglitz, Keynes, Friedman Sr, Friedman Jr, Coase, Carson, Buchanan, Solow, Samuelson, Hicks, Caplan, Cowen, Ricardo, Mill, Tullock, Phelps, Alchian, Demsetz, Arrow. Out of these which do you guys give your blessings to as economists?

And why are those that you do any different to Krugman. See, I can safely say I think they're all economists, because I admit Krugman is, he's just wrong. On the other hand you're going to have to say why some are economists and others aren't, without looking like a hypocrite because you're being partisan.

Except Krugman unlike them is not merely in error. He knows the correct economic theory regarding trade yet goes on to openly support protectionist measures. And I would say some of them are not in certain capacities acting as economists, e.g. Friedman with his dogmatic stance on money even after seeing his "empirically" based theory collapse. To the extent that any modern economist accepts nonsense contrary to praxeological theorems, i.e. those which even neoclassical theory is built on even if by way of different justifications, they are no longer acting as an economist. Krugman is simply so terrible I don't think he even deserves the name at all. He certainly should not be advocating this theory in his capacity as an economist. As a partisan hack it is fine though. He cannot even get the ABCT right...

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

liberty student — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:22:12 GMT

Hey Giles, I was teasing you with the avatar, but it did take me 10 minutes to make, so if you aren't going to wear it, I might.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Pablo — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:11:36 GMT

I saw a great lecture by Bill Nye a couple months ago about climate change. It was very interesting and persuasive. He insisted that instead of 'cutting back' to solve the climate change, we need to redouble our efforts on production. It was a lecture at my University, and he was urging everyone to 'change the world' and discover the next big research advancement which would revolutionize technology.

I got the distinct feeling that he was not so much a believer that humans were the main cause of climate change. I think his approach is an amazingly intelligent one though. Instead of disputing their conspiracy theories, let them believe them, but change their ultimate aim. I think he made a pretty damn good impact, saying that a packed hall of probably close to 4000 college students gave him a standing ovation.

I think if we can all take a peice away from what he was trying to do, we might be able to turn this whole green thing around.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Knight_of_BAAWA — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:51:57 GMT

GilesStratton:
Now, now, don't evade the question. Answer it.

Giles, you must remember that strawmen invalidate arguments. Now disabuse yourself of the one you created, please.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Juan — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:45:09 GMT

Of course, that depends on what you mean by 'economist'.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

hayekianxyz — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:43:29 GMT

No, but he's an economist nonetheless.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

richie2044 — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:43:22 GMT

GilesStratton:

So I'm curious...

Mankiw, Stiglitz, Keynes, Friedman Sr, Friedman Jr, Coase, Carson, Buchanan, Solow, Samuelson, Hicks, Caplan, Cowen, Ricardo, Mill, Tullock, Phelps, Alchian, Demsetz, Arrow. Out of these which do you guys give your blessings to as economists?

Please do not forget Brad DeLong.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Juan — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:38:11 GMT

Why a third rate socialist/statist like krugman is on the same list as Caplan, Buchanan or even Friedman ?

edit : and if you mean David (not Milton) Friedman then your comparison is even more ridiculous.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

hayekianxyz — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:36:24 GMT

Now, now, don't evade the question. Answer it.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Knight_of_BAAWA — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:35:28 GMT

Don't be like that, Giles. Don't try to keep your strawman going when it's been pointed out. Let it go.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

hayekianxyz — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:33:23 GMT

So I'm curious...

Mankiw, Stiglitz, Keynes, Friedman Sr, Friedman Jr, Coase, Carson, Buchanan, Solow, Samuelson, Hicks, Caplan, Cowen, Ricardo, Mill, Tullock, Phelps, Alchian, Demsetz, Arrow. Out of these which do you guys give your blessings to as economists?

And why are those that you do any different to Krugman. See, I can safely say I think they're all economists, because I admit Krugman is, he's just wrong. On the other hand you're going to have to say why some are economists and others aren't, without looking like a hypocrite because you're being partisan.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Jon Irenicus — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:20:48 GMT

Yes, he is. An economist is not merely one who agrees with you.

No, he isn't. He is a hack for the political establishment. Or maybe he is an economist in the way that ID is scientific theory...

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

liberty student — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:31:40 GMT

Giles, I made this avatar for you.

Re: So Paul Krugman declared international economic warfare

Knight_of_BAAWA — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:12:01 GMT

Ah, the wonderful strawman. Now Giles, you know better. It's clear from Krugman's writings that he simply wants the accolades of power. He's no more an economist than, say, Grima Wormtongue was a trusted assistant.