Paul Sweeney: Many have heard of the key debate in 20th Century Economics which was between the ideas of Keynes and Hayek. Progressives support the former, while the latter is the icon of neo-liberals.
For those who want, or rather need, a lighter note on economics - after the depression caused by the Budget and by the incapacity of the EU leadership in framing a solution - here is some diversion.
It does not appear partisan, though I have heard that the author is more neo-liberal than neo-classical. John Papola, the key producer, is a fan of Hayek and his associates appear to be linked with the right in the US. I give them credit for innovation in communication!
This seven minute rap music interpretation of economics is both entertaining and somewhat informative. But as the catholic priests used to say, "there's religion in maths" when justifying Catholic control of schools. So too with the selection of interviewees by some RTE producers and Independent media in putting across the conservative line as "independent".
Paul Sweeney @paulsweeneyman
Paul Sweeney is former Chief Economist of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. He was a President of the Statistical and Social Enquiry Society of Ireland, former member of the Economic Committee of the ETUC, a member of the National Competitiveness Council of Ireland, the National Statistics Board, the ESB, TUAC, (advisor to OECD) and several other bodies. He has written three books on the Irish economy and two on public enterprise, including The Celtic Tiger; Ireland’s Economic Miracle Explained and Selling Out: Privatisation in Ireland, chapters in other books and many articles on economics.
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