Slate's Bizbox
dialogues: E-mail debates of newsworthy topics.

Who's the Real Economist?

dialogues
entries
12345678
from: Paul Krugman
to: James K. Galbraith

Posted Monday, Nov. 18, 1996, at 3:30 AM ET

Enough already! I bet nobody who reads this debate cares about Adrian Wood. Let's just say that other trade economists took his analysis very seriously, but that on close reading, it appears to be a case of bait-and-switch: What looks like a rigorous, number-heavy analysis turns out to be mainly driven by unsupported assumptions.
But anyway, this (really, truly) last message is not for Galbraith, but for readers--if any remain. It is this: Save my list of fallacious doctrines, and check it when you read or hear solemn, seemingly knowledgeable commentary about the global economy. I guarantee that you will encounter over and over again exactly these propositions, stated authoritatively by writers or speakers who believe themselves to have a deep understanding of the issue. And that is an empirically testable proposition.

dialogues
entries
12345678
from: Paul Krugman
to: James K. Galbraith

Posted Monday, Nov. 18, 1996, at 3:30 AM ET
Print This ArticlePRINTDiscuss this in The FrayDISCUSSEmail to a FriendE-MAIL
Share on FacebookPost to MySpace!Share with MixxDigg ThisShare with RedditShare with del.icio.usShare with FurlShare with Ma.gnolia.comShare with SphereShare with Stumble Upon
James K. Galbraith, a professor of government at the University of Texas, takes issue with Paul Krugman's recent SLATE column, "Economic Culture Wars." Krugman is a professor of economics at MIT.
Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum
What did you think of this article?
POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES
Washington Post
The Washington Post
OPINIONS
What's Fair Game?
Anne E. Kornblut | What questions would Hillary Clinton have to answer if she were in Sarah Palin's shoes?
Editorial: Disappointment '08
PLUS » Stumped: More Nonsense From McCain