But part of the job of economics is weeding out errors. That is much harder than making them, but also more fun.
Robert SolowRead
Why does a public discussion of economic policy so often show the abysmal ignorance of the participants?
Interpretation
The quote highlights the lack of understanding among individuals discussing economic policy.
Robert Solow's quote questions the frequent ineptitude and misunderstanding exhibited by people engaging in public discussions about economic policy. It suggests that despite the significance of these discussions, many participants may lack the necessary knowledge or expertise, which can lead to misguided opinions and ineffective policy deliberation.
In practice
In a debate on national economic policy, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of informed discussions.
This power becomes particularly irresistible when exercised by those who, because they hold and control money, are able also to govern credit and determine its allotment, for that reason supplying, so to speak, the lifeblood to the entire economic body, and grasping, as it were, in their hands the very soul of production, so that no one dare breathe against their will.
He who controls the money supply of a nation controls the nation.
All wealth consists of desirable things; that is, things which satisfy human wants directly or indirectly: but not all desirable things are reckoned as wealth.
When the word 'morality' comes up in connection with economics, income distribution and financial stability are usually the issues. Is it moral for rich countries to use such a high proportion of the world's resources or for investment bankers to earn large bonuses?
Economics is haunted by more fallacies than any other study known to man
Money is not an invention of the state. It is not the product of a legislative act.
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