Jim's question was tongue in cheek. Dean Baker got a Ph.D in a conventional program. So did Jim. I suspect both were not conventional thinkers when they began. During Vietnam a number of economics grad students became radicalized. In Michigan, where URPE began, they had a mentor in the faculty.
Without the Vietnam War (and draft), how many econ grad students become radicalized? I suspect almost all today are drinking the Kool Aid. We got several hundred job applications. I looked for a hint of progressive sympathy, but found almost none except for people from places like UMass or the New School. We older economists have not been very successful into making contact with the next generation. By the way, virtually all the important older, liberal US economists -- now in their 80s or dead -- with whom I am familiar seem to have leftish sympathies when they were young. On Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 06:37:04PM -0700, Jim Devine wrote: > > can Ph.D.s in economics be great economists either? -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu michaelperelman.wordpress.com
