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You're confusing mathematical/theoretical economics with economic polemics  - the inappropriate application of economic theory to real-life examples in order to get the answer you wanted.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Jun 16th, 2006 at 07:43:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Is there more to economics than polemics? </polemic>

A vivid image of what should exist acts as a surrogate for reality. Pursuit of the image then prevents pursuit of the reality -- John K. Galbraith
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 16th, 2006 at 07:44:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
That was my point, in fact. If I am getting the two confused - whcih I don't think I am, so much as questioning the motivations that produced today's models - I don't seem to be the only one.

When someone talks about 'economic realities' supporting a reform agenda, are they doing economics, or polemic?

Do the Economist and the FT do economics, or polemic?

The underlying problem is that the concepts and measures used in economics lend themselves everso elegantly to one kind of political discourse, while making alternative views and metrics difficult to conceptualise, quantify and discuss.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Jun 16th, 2006 at 09:28:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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