Contra Krugman

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 205 Is This Evidence of an Authoritarian Regime? Sep 14, 2019

Show notes

Krugman argues that an undemocratic, authoritarian regime is being built in the United States, and cites Sharpiegate and Trump's treatment of the auto industry as prime examples. Show notes for Ep. 205

Ep. 204 Krugman's Worst Blunders Sep 08, 2019

Show notes

We take listener questions in this episode, from Krugman's worst blunders, to how the Fed might return interest rates to their natural level, to a former Fed official's implication that the Federal Reserve ought to make Trump's reelection more difficult. Show notes for Ep. 204

Ep. 203 Deeper Economic Analysis of Slavery, Free Trade vs. Welfare, and Debt Repudiation Aug 31, 2019

Show notes

Because Krugman is a bore, Tom and Bob field questions from the listeners. They handle objections about their recent arguments concerning the economics of slavery, clear up apparent contradictions in the libertarian handling of free trade and the welfare state, and explain Rothbard's view of debt repudiation. Show notes for Ep. 203

Ep. 202 David Stockman on Western Regimes Entering Cuckoo Land Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

David Stockman, director of the Office of Management and Budget under Ronald Reagan, joins Tom (Bob is on vacation) to explain what's really happening with the current inverted yield curve, as well as how to tell real growth from phony growth, and a lot more. Show notes for Ep. 202

Ep. 201 The White Nationalist Hoax Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

The ordinarily serene Bob Murphy is genuinely outraged in this episode, in which we cover Krugman's casual claim that Donald Trump is trying to establish an "authoritarian, white nationalist regime." Needless to say, it does not matter what your opinion of Trump is. This idea is out of some sort of alternate reality that in no way corresponds to the real world, but which in classic Orwellian style is presented as if all reasonable people just know it to be true. Show notes for Ep. 201

Ep. 200 Krugman on Bonds & Uncertainty: Interesting, But Still Wrong Aug 10, 2019

Show notes

Bob minds the store and explains what is interesting about Krugman's discussion on bonds vs. stocks as ways to forecast recession, how an inverted yield curve signals problems, and the precise way that Trump could be depressing investment. Yet even though these abstract discussions are instructive, Bob argues that they don't really work in the cases where Krugman deploys them. Show Notes for Ep. 200

Ep. 199 Krugman: Trump's Tax Cuts Make the 1% -- and Rich Foreigners -- Richer Aug 03, 2019

Show notes

Krugman says that since Trump's tax cuts amounted to nothing but a giveaway to wealthy shareholders, and since many of those are foreigners, the tax cuts amounted to a perverse foreign aid program. Show notes for Ep. 199

Ep. 198 Should We Prevent the Rich from Living Longer? Jul 26, 2019

Show notes

In an "op-ed from the future," Krugman speculates about a world in which "the rich" have access to life-extending technology. Should they be allowed to have it if not everyone can afford it? This episode gets to the heart of the left-liberal worldview. Show notes for Ep. 198

Ep. 197 Is Privatization (Including Prisons) Expensive and Evil? Jul 21, 2019

Show notes

Krugman suggests that although it makes sense for much of the economy to be in private hands, there are some sectors where private control would yield perverse results. He devotes particular attention to so-called private prisons. So we set him straight. After all, that's why we're here. Show notes for Ep. 197

Ep. 196 There Aren't Any Socialists in the Democratic Party? Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

There aren't any real socialists running in the Democratic Party, says Krugman, because none of them want to abolish private ownership of the means of production. Republicans level the accusation because they're ignorant idiots. Krugman wonders what would happen if Republicans began to be routinely referred to as fascists (as if isn't happening every day). Show notes for Ep. 196

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