Nariman Behravesh: No-Nonsense Economics

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If this book is right-wing spin, then apparently economic principles themselves are right-wing. But that's actually not the case, the problem is that if the reader comes at this book from a far-left-wing bias, then he is going to see nothing but adversarial arguments because economics as a field of academics doesn't conform to, or confirm, the tenets of exceptionally liberal principles.
I know plenty of far-right conservatives who thought this was a load of leftist clap-trap, especially the parts dealing with healthcare, education, and immigration. But to me, when both extremist groups see a dangerously-opposed viewpoint in this book then it means that Mr. Behravesh is hitting all the right points.
Some of the things in this book will challenge your thinking, regardless of your ideological inclinations. That should be the point of reading it. It certainly made me consider my outlook on things I had accepted as truths. And that's what it should do to any reader who rational and reasonable.

Floyd of NE 9:41PM October 09, 2010

It's all pathetically acedemic until the Federal gov't actually attempts to do what it is hired to do. That is protect it's citizens liberty. This Con(job)gressional group and several previous, have occupied themselves with the most mundane of the everyday life of our citizens and neglects it's charged responsibility. Please Secure Our Borders. Then we can begin to calculate the impact of a culture, operating "off the books", bankrupting social services, schools and hospitals, keeping the competition for inflation adjusted wages for legitimate citizens and migrants from rising for well over 40 years. The type of banter of late in our twisted media, fools no one but fools. Serious trouble looms heavy over our Nations future for our Government's incompetance and/or neglect.

Jim Hauser of NY 10:09AM May 07, 2010

There is nothing wrong with having conservative right wing beliefs and nothing wrong with having more liberal left wing beliefs. They are only ones opinions and in the United States we are all free to have them. HOWEVER, The book "Spin Free Economics" is not spin free in the least! This book is CLEARLY written from a right wing point of view! all of the reality vs. myth portions of the book are very narrow viewed and follow strict right wing ideologies. The book is well written and the style/layout are also well done, but it is NOT "spin free"!!!
NARIMAN BEHRAVESH- your opinions and ideas are ok either way, just don't try to lie and disguise them!

Bill Nurmi of MI 12:20PM April 14, 2010

Before I get the backlash that he sited liberal mythology on globalization this is a very disproportionate lament of liberal economics. Why not focus on the much broader point of a socialist inclination to redistribute wealth and manage all aspects of a society outright? While there is smoke blown above he shares the same know-it-all inclinations.
The policy problems themselves are largely rooted in government excess all performed under the central planners claim of the "common good". As it fails the solution is only another round of more planning at greater loss of freedom and socialized expense. Behravesh is right on board with the "correct" no-spin policy to save the day?

Chris of MA 11:03PM January 26, 2009

Notice the "common myths" are all core conservative economic values. Paul Krugman would call himself a sensible "moderate" and the game goes on as usual.
All this is done for the soft fence sitter in the middle but it's twaddle pure and simple. Behravesh is a liberal operative, here is shilling for stimulus with the usual liberal "newsperson" throwing out the fear points;
http://www.necn.com/Boston/Business/2009/01/05/Nariman-Behravesh-Global/1231206441.html
Why should we be surprised? He's based in Lexington MA, selling to mainly NE liberal clients. At least he's honest in reporting his terrible predictive forcasts regarding the "crisis" itself. So as long as the "middle" is mostly liberal in power base it will all be about "no-spin" and phony moderation. People like this are cummulatively more dangerous than obvious partisan moonbats like Krugman as the soft-soap is easier to sell than what is dished out at the NYTimes.

Chris of MA 10:47PM January 26, 2009

Why does everyone always assume that spending and taxing always has to increase? They want to have sin taxes and then complain when those who were paying for it reform and no longer sin. (Smoking and drinking) The demand for fuel goes down because of the price yet everyone expects the same profit margins. Government produces nothing. It generally drives the prices up for the public sector and perpetuates the constant need for a war on something. The poor, terrorism, drugs and so forth. They wont win these wars no matter how many pie in the sky dreams we have. Its like racism. If you define a person or persons as a group instead of individuals you throw fuel to the fire. Our constitution defined our Rights as those belonging to individuals and until we realise that someone will always be looking for a handout or up in the name of group. Personal responsibility is what it going to take to solve this. It is in a lazy mans nature to get something for nothing. Look at second and now third generation welfare families. Not good!

Jeff of WI 8:15PM January 12, 2009

Economists like you should get more involved in our policy debates. I tend to be more of a Republican supply sider, but have some of my favorite political and economic conversations that make sense with moderate Republicans and Dems.

Joe C. of VA 7:43PM January 09, 2009

Very high incomes are awarded to those who take the most risk. It's simple and clear economics. Without those high income earners, industry, entertainment, and inventions as we know them today would not exist. The reason that people come to the US is to seek the American Dream. If you channel income back to the people, you are discouraging the very economic foundation of our country! If you want the kind of distribution that you are speaking of, you are living in the wrong country. You should move to a Socialist or Communist country. Although, I suspect you wouldn't be much happier there!

anita of NC 1:16PM December 14, 2008

Another blog in the past few days noted that 22% of Americans are left wing, a slightly higher percentage are right wing, and a sizable 45% are moderates--yet Mr. Behravish is correct that the voice of the middle is lost in the national dialogue. Further candidates for office often speak to the middle when they are actually philosophically much more extreme, hence our government winds up lead by those who have appealed to the moderate, but govern for the extremist. Even traditionally moderate media such as US News and World Report have swung to the need to "be fair" ie promote the extremes. Where is the reality? Where are those who are not interested in promoting a party, but rather in finding out where things went wrong and how do we fix them.
I would like to see an anonymous survey of those in government positions, media, and politically active organizations and academia in economics, political science, and foreign relations, scored by outside interests, as to their philosophies, compared to the average Americans in the "real world." How would the groups compare? It would need to have samples of Americans in urban and rural areas, in the east, midwest, south, and western states,and include a balance of those who live inland with those who live along the coasts and include Alaska and Hawaii. So the research design would have to be carefully put together. Lets ask how representative our government and policy setters are.

MontanaMountainWoman of MT 6:35PM December 03, 2008

I am one of those veering to the left who fails to see the beauty of globalization; and I guess one reason is that I've never seen any real evidence of it, unless you count access to cheaper household goods at Walmart as a primary benefit.
I am college educated, but a lot of my family are not. In times past, there was always respectable work that allowed a family to live modestly and well. That is disappearing. I miss being able to buy things with familiar names that are manufactured in the good old US of A. That has become next to impossible! Recently, I couldn't even find a steam iron. All the reliable American brands have sold out and left American workers flat, but they still want us to support them by buying their sweat shop goods. Of course our government has set things up so that we really have no choice.
I do have an open mind. If someone can show me what industries are really benefitting to the point that we have a net gain as a society, I will be grateful.

phoenician lady of AZ 11:41AM December 03, 2008