Tyler Cowen, a prominent economist and coauthor of the influential blog Marginal Revolution, dives into thought-provoking topics. He discusses the flaws in current economic theories about real interest rates and critiques the hyper-specialization of economists. Cowen explores the value of learning from diverse perspectives, including navigating offense and ideology. He emphasizes the impact of role models on aspirations and the importance of mentorship in personal growth, encouraging listeners to engage deeply with differing viewpoints.
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Quick takeaways
Cowan's assertion that all propositions about real interest rates are wrong critiques the unpredictability of economic variables and existing theories.
The podcast highlights that many economists lack curiosity, often conforming to prevailing opinions rather than engaging in independent analysis.
Mentorship is emphasized as a significant factor for personal and professional growth, advocating for the reciprocal sharing of knowledge.
Deep dives
Cowan's Laws and Economic Predictions
Cowan's third law asserts that all propositions about real interest rates are wrong, a statement stemming from experiences over decades in economic analysis. This has been observed as various claims regarding real interest rates, such as the impact of government deficits, often fail to manifest in measurable ways, surprising economists. For instance, amidst rising inflation, nominal interest rates have been slow to adjust, leading to a perplexing scenario where real interest rates can plummet to negative figures. This serves as a critique of existing economic theories, suggesting that macroeconomics may be more artful than scientific, highlighting the complexity and unpredictability of economic variables.
Critique of the Economics Profession
There is a prevailing sentiment that modern economists often lack curiosity and the ability to formulate independent opinions, often relying on mainstream media for their views. This trend is reflected in the observation that many economists' opinions are shaped more by their environment and the perspectives of influential figures than by a rigorous analysis of economic theories. Cowan notes how specialization within the profession stifles broader discourse, leading to an echo chamber where critical thinking is diminished. Ultimately, this creates a profession that is more concerned with conforming to popular opinion than with making groundbreaking economic inquiries.
Modern Monetary Theory and its Implications
Cowan provides a critical view of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), which suggests that governments can easily increase spending without significant inflation consequences. He argues MMT lacks a coherent theoretical framework and presents political motivations rather than genuine economic theory. Although some elements of MMT, such as the ability to monetize government debt, may have merit under certain conditions, the overall validity of the theory is questioned. Cowan emphasizes the need for a more structured understanding of MMT, which currently exists more as a collection of ideas rather than a solid economic model.
The Importance of Mentorship
Cowan emphasizes the value of mentorship by suggesting that having mentors can significantly enhance knowledge and career development. He advocates for finding mentors who can provide insights into areas unfamiliar to the mentee, as this relationship can enrich understanding and facilitate learning. Moreover, he encourages the reciprocation of mentorship by mentoring others, fostering a community of shared knowledge and growth. This interconnected learning process is crucial in navigating complex subjects and achieving personal and professional aspirations.
Raising Aspirations for Greater Effectiveness
Cowan discusses the profound impact of raising people's aspirations on their potential effectiveness and success. Many individuals lack ambition, limiting their pursuits to familiar territories rather than exploring broader possibilities. By bringing ambitious role models into their vision, such as successful entrepreneurs or artists, people can see tangible examples of success that inspire them to think bigger. This notion aligns with the belief that exposure to diverse and successful narratives can significantly influence an individual's motivation and outlook on their own capabilities.
Why might it be the case that "all propositions about real interest rates are wrong"? What, if anything, are most economists wrong about? Does political correctness affect what economists are willing to write about? What are the biggest open questions in economics right now? Is there too much math in economics? How has the loss of the assumption that humans are perfectly rational agents shaped economics? Is Tyler's worldview unusual? Should people hold opinions (even loosely) on topics about which they're relatively ignorant? Why is there "something wrong with everything" (according to Cowen's First Law)? How can we learn how to learn from those who offend us? What does it mean to be a mentor? What do we know and not know about success? What is lookism? Why is raising someone else's aspirations a high-return activity?
Tyler Cowen is Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University and serves as chairman and general director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. With colleague Alex Tabarrok, Cowen is coauthor of the popular economics blog Marginal Revolution and cofounder of the online educational platform Marginal Revolution University. Read more at his website, tylercowen.com.