Economic Illiteracy on the Campaign Trail

Boskin Michael J.
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Boskin Michael J.: Stanford University

The Economists' Voice, 2004, vol. 1, issue 2, 10

Abstract: All candidates and Presidents make some statements that make economists cringe, often put into speeches by political advisors unconstrained by economic literacy. From its description of the state of the economy to its policy prescriptions, much of the Kerry-Edwards campaign's pronouncements are at odds with economic reality and basic economic principles. While their first term was far from perfect (too much spending, steel tariffs), Bush-Cheney policies and proposals are much closer to textbook economics, both micro and macro. The article discusses several such areas: the description of the economy; countercyclical fiscal policy; and price regulation.

Keywords: economics; illiteracy; politics; campaigns; unemployment; deficit; taxes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.2202/1553-3832.1027

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