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An economics lesson from a politician It is always refreshing to read an article trashing state intervention only to read in the by-line at the end that the author is a candidate for the State of Massachusetts’ Senate.
Going back to look up James D. Miller’s bio details, I see that he is ‘Assistant Professor of Economics, Smith College’. My ignorance of the American education system is profound. Yet it seems to me that this is not the profile I would expect for a British economics professor. A candidate for political office who publicly calls for less state intervention, and does not even ask for more tax money in education! We used to have one or two or those.
I am especially intrigued by Mr Miller’s references (linking to Thomas Sowell) to the two earthquakes in California and Iran during 2003. The reason fewer than 10 people were killed in a Californian earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale, whereas 28,000 were killed by a 6.6 Richter earthquake in Iran? One word: wealth.
I really must read more Sowell. And thank you James D. Miller for an educational article.
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I’m especially surprised that he’s working at Smith of all places – it is not exactly a hotbed of free market and small state activism. I was pretty keen to go there when I was a lefty pre-teen.
Here’s a link to recent Sowell articles at Townhall.com
A openly Republican at Smith College? Surely this is a mistake.
Miller was a blogger a while back; his site’s been dark for about a year, but he’s written for free-market web sites like Tech Central Station.
He’s a University of Chicago PhD; that will explain the free-market economics.
It also explains why he’s looking for another job; the chance that he’ll get tenure and promotion at Smith (male, Republican) is essentially zero unless he just married a boyfriend.
Yes you must read Sowell. He is a bit dry, but still damn good on free market economics. His “Basic Economics” was the book that finally explained to me what comodity brokers bring to the table. Before him, it made no sense whatsoever to me.
For those who didn’t look up Smith College–Smith College is one of the “Seven Sisters”, a group of seven prestigious historically women’s only colleges in the US. (Five of which remain women’s only, Vassar went co-ed some time ago, and Radcliffe recently was reabsorbed by its sort-of parent institution, Harvard University).
Prof. Miller has already tangled with the tenure committee and lost twice, only to have the trustees rule in his favor. Here’s an archive from Critical Mass on the subject. There’s an interview at Frontpage as well.
I’d like to second what Ben said. Basic Economics is excellent. Sowell writes in clear language that the intelligent layperson can understand. His The Vision of the Anointed is also worth reading.
Put alongside leftist hacks like Paul Krugman or the wretched Galbraith, there is no contest.
Hmmm.
Here’s an aside for everyone.
If “diversity” in education is a good thing, why do liberals tolerate women-only colleges?
I want to know ’cause I want to got o Smith too. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll fill out the admissions package. 🙂
Like with Hayek, you can’t read “too much” Thomas Sowell.
Do NOT read his book “Inside American Education” without a strong sedative at hand (I suggest a decent single malt).
I’ve read a book and several articles by Thomas Sowell. He is excellent.
It’s not terribly shocking that a free market econ prof would go into politics. That’s what Senator Phil Gramm was. He had a few daffy conservative ideas, but was mostly a low-tax, free-market hound dog.
http://discussions.pbs.org/viewtopic.pbs?t=28529