In 'Arguing with Zombies', Paul Krugman uses various examples to debunk economic myths, often referred to as 'zombie ideas'. These are ideas that, despite being disproven by evidence, continue to influence political policy. For instance, he discusses the myth of austerity, arguing that cutting government spending during a recession can actually worsen the economy, not improve it. He also tackles the myth of tax cuts for the rich stimulating economic growth, providing evidence that this is not the case. The broader implications of these examples are that policy decisions should be based on solid economic research, not on debunked ideas that refuse to die.

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Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future

“Zombie ideas” simply refuse to die despite mountains of evidence to disprove them. How do you fight them? Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize winner in Economi...

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In a world of rising disinformation and polarization, it becomes essential for policy to be based on solid economic research and not political beliefs. As Krugman clearly shows, many issues may have counterintuitive solutions, and there is just too much at stake to risk amateurism. In other words, ignore the "zombies" and listen to the real experts.

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A company in a traditional sector like manufacturing can apply the innovative approaches discussed in "Arguing with Zombies" by basing their policies and strategies on solid economic research rather than political beliefs or popular opinion. This involves ignoring "zombie ideas" that refuse to die despite evidence disproving them. Instead, they should listen to real experts and consider counterintuitive solutions that may arise from rigorous research. This approach can help them avoid amateurism and make informed decisions that can lead to a better future.

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