‘The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back. I am sure that the power of vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared with the gradual encroachment of ideas.’That is why...
Whenever there’s an economic ideology that is gaining traction, I try to keep an open mind about it and stay abreast. I’ve noticed throughout history that when the dominant economic ideology of the day changes, their effects are typically felt over years and decades. After all it was Lord Keynes who wrote that: