Ep118 [3/3]: Brian Romanchuk: The common tactics of bad-faith critics

Welcome to episode 118 of activist. Today's part three of my three-part conversation with author, financial analyst, and applied mathematician, Brian Romanchuk. In part one, we talked about his journey to MMT, and his 2021 book, Modern Monetary Theory and the Recovery. In part two and today in part three, we talk about the various techniques used by bad-faith critics of MMT. More broadly, these are some of the things simple bullies do, when they would prefer their followers think they're not bullies. This interview was inspired by chapter five of Brian's book, his recent appearance on MMT Podcast, and my own post of several good-faith critiques. (A list of the audio chapters in today's episode can be found at the bottom of this post.) This interview inspired me to write a new post summarizing the techniques Brian and I discuss today, plus my own definition of a good-faith critique. These techniques are not exclusive to MMT, of course, but Brian and I share several anecdotes, and link them to actual MMT critiques and critics. And now, let's get right back to my conversation with Brian Romanchuk. Enjoy. Audio chapters 3:30 - I will only view a child through their report card. 5:57 - Thomas Palley's household analogy 8:11 - MMT is wrong, because if it were right, it would be bad. (Just don't like the politics.) 13:45 - The unwashed masses are kept deliberately unwashed. 15:15 - Killing the messenger 21:38 - You don't define you, I define you. (Emmet Till) 32:38 - The debate is not in the papers but in the world around them. 33:23 - Final thoughts 47:00 - Duplicate of introduction, but with no background music