The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes: What’s wrong with economics?
Aug 7, 2024
auto_awesome
Sir Angus Deaton, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, delves into the evolving landscape of economics, expressing his reconsideration of foundational assumptions. He critiques the narrow focus on efficiency, discussing the intricate dynamics of globalization and poverty with contrasting case studies from India and China. Deaton emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to measuring poverty and challenges the effectiveness of randomized control trials. As he navigates through these complex topics, he advocates for an economics that integrates ethics and historical context.
Angus Deaton argues that the focus on efficiency and GDP in economics has overshadowed crucial ethical and philosophical considerations essential for genuine progress.
Deaton emphasizes the need for a balanced analysis of immigration, warning that long-term effects may contribute to rising economic inequality despite minimal short-term impacts.
Deep dives
Critiques of Economics
Economics has faced significant scrutiny, especially from within the profession itself. Prominent economist Angus Deaton emphasizes that the discipline has shifted focus primarily toward efficiency and GDP maximization, neglecting the philosophical and ethical considerations that originally formed the foundation of economic thought. This narrowing of focus has consequences, as valuable insights from history, psychology, and sociology have been overlooked, leading to a one-dimensional view of economic effectiveness. Deaton argues that a more balanced and comprehensive approach is essential for understanding the complexities of economic realities and fostering genuine progress.
The Role of Immigration
Angus Deaton offers a nuanced perspective on immigration, acknowledging both the potential benefits and drawbacks that have increasingly polarizing views. He points out that while many econometric studies show minimal short-term impacts on wages, the long-term effects of immigration may indeed contribute to rising economic inequality. Deaton advocates for a more balanced discussion that considers all evidence instead of strictly adhering to politically driven narratives. This perspective highlights the need for economists to engage with the broader implications of immigration beyond immediate economic metrics.
Globalization and Poverty Reduction
Deaton critiques the standard narrative that globalization has been a primary force in reducing global poverty, particularly in countries like India and China. He suggests that other factors, such as improvements in public services and domestic policies, play more significant roles than often credited. While acknowledging that globalization has benefitted some nations, Deaton highlights the nuances and complexities underlying poverty reduction that are frequently overlooked in favor of simpler explanations. He calls for more robust assessments that take into account diverse experiences across different regions and circumstances.
The Ethics of Economics
The conversation about the ethical dimensions of economics sheds light on a critical gap in the discipline's current framework. Deaton critiques the prevalent utilitarian ethos that focuses primarily on GDP growth while ignoring broader welfare measures, such as health and community well-being. He argues that this reductionist view fails to account for serious social issues reflected in rising suicide rates and declining health outcomes in the United States. By advocating for an embrace of ethical considerations in economic modeling and policy-making, Deaton urges a reevaluation that promotes a more holistic understanding of human prosperity.
This week, we’re bringing you something from our fellow FT podcast, The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes.
Sir Angus Deaton won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2015. So when he says he is rethinking many of his assumptions about the field, it matters. Today on the show, Soumaya discusses what we are getting wrong about everything from inequality to immigration to the role of globalisation in the reduction of poverty.
Soumaya Keynes writes a column each week for the Financial Times. You can find it here.
Plus, tell us what you think about Behind the Money! Complete this survey before August 29 for a chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless headphones (terms and conditions can be found here).