I came across this podcast on China on The Financial Times site. It's a little less than 20 minutes long and worth the listen (if you don't have a subscription to The Financial Times you can probably register for free articles to have a listen). I certainly don't bill myself as a China expert, but nevertheless I was … Continue reading Xi Jinping Thought
Author: Citizen Rat
I teach courses in Economics and International Relations at Shawnee State University, a small public University in Southern Ohio. I also teach and train in Shotokan Karate.The opinions expressed on this blog are my own opinions and do not represent the views of my University or any other organization.
Further thoughts on mathematical formalism in Economics
In a recent entry, I offered a brief, and consequently simplified explanation of why formalism in mathematics and logic per se is not the cause of the perceived (accurately in my view) lack of realism in mainstream economics. This is not to say, however, that the emphasis in mainstream economics on formal mathematical is particularly … Continue reading Further thoughts on mathematical formalism in Economics
Whither the Democrats?
In this post I will offer some reflections on the current state of Democratic Policy proposals, with reference to the debates on Tuesday and Wednesday. Given that there are 20 candidates, I will not make any effort in this post to analyze them individually or to rank order the candidates. At present, I see no … Continue reading Whither the Democrats?
Is Bourbaki the enemy?
Lars Syll, whose blog I always find well worth reading, has written an interesting short piece about the baleful influence of the Bourbaki school on economics. I agree with the main point, but I think that this raises a lot of complex issues which I want to partially wade through in this blog entry. I'm … Continue reading Is Bourbaki the enemy?
Conspiracy Theories and Academic Freedom: Part I.
I recently read about the case of Joy Karega, who was dismissed last fall from her tenure track position at Oberlin College for "intellectual dishonesty" in her Facebook posts (for a few more specifics on this case, see also here). The initial objections to her Facebook posts stemmed from their allegedly anti-semitic character. At least one of … Continue reading Conspiracy Theories and Academic Freedom: Part I.
What is evolutionary social theory?
With summer now officially here, I have been able to turn my attention towards beginning my book project on evolutionary social theory. I now have a draft of about one third or so of my first chapter. The actual draft is a bit longer. I've taken out some of the more extensive background discussion of … Continue reading What is evolutionary social theory?
Reforming Economics Education
There is a good deal of discussion these days about what is wrong with how economics is taught at the University level. For some examples, see Lars Syll's blog , The Institute for New Economic Thinking, and this recent article in VOX about controversies surrounding Greg Mankiw's Principles of Economics course and text and alternatives to it at Harvard. I've now completed the … Continue reading Reforming Economics Education
Why Centrist Democrats are Wrong
In a recent column, political commentator and centrist Democrat Fareed Zakaria argues that the current round of progressive policy proposals such as The Green New Deal and Single Payer Health Care are the wrong ideas for the Democratic Party. The right ideas, according to Zakaria, are the kinds of "wonky proposals" that centrists have advocated over the last … Continue reading Why Centrist Democrats are Wrong
Who’s afraid of Socialism?
As a recent article in the The New Republic notes, the word "socialism" has become virtually meaningless in American politics. President Trump throws the word around as a scare tactic , Kamala Harris disavows it, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Octavio Cortes celebrate it, while others use it as a euphemism for National Health Insurance. It is not surprising … Continue reading Who’s afraid of Socialism?
Democrats and Foreign Policy: Round 2
The recent controversy surrounding Ilhan Omar has got me thinking more about both the Democrats and Republicans on foreign policy. In reflecting on her comments, I am inclined to agree that her reference to "Benjamins" was at best, an unthinking resort to anti-Semitic tropes. An interesting article in The Atlantic makes the argument that this kind of statement makes the sort of public discussion we need to have about Israel … Continue reading Democrats and Foreign Policy: Round 2
