Political Commentary & Economic Data Integrity - The discussion revolves around Donald Trump's criticism of economist Paul Krugman and others, labeling them as "deranged" for their economic predictions [1][2][3][5]. - Concerns are raised about potential political interference with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the possibility of manipulating economic data [6][7][8]. - The integrity of economic data is crucial, and any attempt to "cook the books" at the BLS would be a significant undertaking due to the dedication of civil servants [8][9]. - The historical precedent of presidents seeking serious economic advice from economists is highlighted, contrasting it with the current situation [10]. Economic Competence & Political Alignment - The discussion points out a preference within a certain political sphere for individuals who may lack competence in economic analysis [12][13][14]. - Competent professionals are perceived as a threat because they might refuse to manipulate data or make false claims [14].

Economists should behave in a manner that would lead the public to think of them as “humble, competent people” akin to dentists, wrote John Maynard Keynes. Would a trip to the economist improve your life? https://t.co/5Eq7pRqgwOIllustration: Álvaro Bernis https://t.co/u8RCLgzm4Y ...

Core Argument - The article suggests that economics, despite being associated with rational self-interest, can offer insights into the seemingly irrational activity of war [1] Implied Focus - The book likely explores the economic dimensions of war, potentially analyzing costs, benefits, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making within conflict scenarios [1]