RE: Joining 'em or beating 'em

[Paul Davidson <PB108928%UTKVM1.BITNET@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

FROM:  Paul Davidson
*** Resending note of 10/26/94 11:33
To: PKNET   --CMSNAMES

FROM:  Paul Davidson
"      Economics Department
"      523 Stokely Management Center  (615) 974-4221
I could not disagree with Jamie more. Mainstream economics is ever greater in i
ts influence on the larger culture. Just tsake the discussion of the deficit an
d the fact that even academics such as Alan Blinder have reached positions
of power to affect the "larger culture" and Alan Blinder spouts the NAIRU theor
y.  Most journalists and spokespersons in authority (to paraphrase Keynes)
are distilling the frenzy of some academic scribbler!  Jamie may make it
to the McNeil-Lehrer club but he is largely outweighed by the Krugmans, Sachs,
Blinders, and like-minded manstreamers who words are sucked up as pearls of
wisdom by the persons in authority. The few heterodox who make it on the
media are there often merely to provide some verbal violence (after all TV is
a visual media that thrives on violence). This is not to denigrate Jamie's
position and his ability to make another viewpoint visible to the media.
I agree with Jamie we should neither be cowed or shrink from criticism -- but w
e should not underestimate the power of mainstream academics in this
talking heads environment.

Have a good day!____Paul Davidson
))))_ fax # (615) 974-1686