Economics

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

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

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  • Create Date：2021-03-25 11:38:17
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
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  • Author：Paul Krugman
  • ISBN：0393541320
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Summary

There is no better guide to basic economics than Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman。 Likewise， there is no stronger foe of zombie economics， the misunderstandings that just won’t die。


In Arguing with Zombies， Krugman tackles many of these misunderstandings in a series of concise， digestible chapters。 With quick， vivid sketches， this New York Times bestseller turns readers into intelligent consumers of the daily news and unlocks the concepts behind the greatest economic policy issues of our time。


Arguing with Zombies is an indispensable guide to two decades’ worth of political and economic discourse in the United States and around the globe。 Writing at the height of his powers， Krugman delivers an instant classic that can serve as a reference point for this and future generations。

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Reviews

Joe Slavinsky ，

I saw Krugman on TV recently， promoting this book。 I've always enjoyed his perspective， and admitting some confirmation bias， I picked up the book。 It is a fascinating look at recent years， in both politics， and economics。 With few exceptions， it's not written in economic jargon， and is relatively easy to understand。 I highly recommend this book。 I saw Krugman on TV recently， promoting this book。 I've always enjoyed his perspective， and admitting some confirmation bias， I picked up the book。 It is a fascinating look at recent years， in both politics， and economics。 With few exceptions， it's not written in economic jargon， and is relatively easy to understand。 I highly recommend this book。 。。。more

Jack ，

This book is a lot of Paul Krugman articles bound together in book form。 If you like Paul Krugman—but not so much that you've read all or most of what he wrote between 2007 and 2019—this one is for you。 I did enjoy reading Krugman's articles this way; they are organized topically and with friendlier spacing and margins than a NY Times op-ed page affords。 This book is a lot of Paul Krugman articles bound together in book form。 If you like Paul Krugman—but not so much that you've read all or most of what he wrote between 2007 and 2019—this one is for you。 I did enjoy reading Krugman's articles this way; they are organized topically and with friendlier spacing and margins than a NY Times op-ed page affords。 。。。more

Suze Fields ，

A collection of articles and essays written with impressive clarity， bringing closer the issues modern economy faces。 It also reveals how a field of social science isn’t inmune to trolls with nasty agendas。

William Orr ，

Krugman is tendentious， yes， but he also explains economics so clearly that he is always worth reading。 This is a few decades of essays， arranged thematically， and with an overview of each section。

Mark Aronson ，

The book is divided into chapters， each focusing on a topic and composed of a short intro essay and then a series of Krugman's columns from the Times。 I learned a good bit about the Bush era and lead up to Obamacare and found the essay on schools of thought in economics interesting。 Definitely got a bit lost in the weeds in the heavy econ and the format of the book didn't allow for deep dives into explaining them。 Overall， learned more about history than economics but still enjoyed it。 The book is divided into chapters， each focusing on a topic and composed of a short intro essay and then a series of Krugman's columns from the Times。 I learned a good bit about the Bush era and lead up to Obamacare and found the essay on schools of thought in economics interesting。 Definitely got a bit lost in the weeds in the heavy econ and the format of the book didn't allow for deep dives into explaining them。 Overall， learned more about history than economics but still enjoyed it。 。。。more

Meegen ，

Great audiobook。 Such a great explanation of pivotal topics。

Almustafa Couch ，

I found this book a rather interesting read， though economics is not my usual thing。 This book was very understandable and did not use a lot of economic jargon。 The book basically took an anti-trickle-down economics （which is fallacious， trickle-down economics that is）。 The book is easy to understand even by non-economists， I would recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in the dark days of the Trump presidency。

Craigtator ，

Keynesians rule， neoclassists drool。

Carlos Andrés ，

Paul Krugman contra los Zombis compila artículos destacados del autor en su popular columna en The New York Times y otros artículos académicos y de su blog personal。 Para destacar， leer estos más de 90 artículos resulta un ejercicio sumamente formativo e informativo respecto a asuntos económicos， políticos y sociales， particularmente de Estados Unidos en las últimas décadas。 La verdad no logro convencerme de los planteamientos en cuanto a política económica de Krugman。 Aunque puedan ser ciertos， Paul Krugman contra los Zombis compila artículos destacados del autor en su popular columna en The New York Times y otros artículos académicos y de su blog personal。 Para destacar， leer estos más de 90 artículos resulta un ejercicio sumamente formativo e informativo respecto a asuntos económicos， políticos y sociales， particularmente de Estados Unidos en las últimas décadas。 La verdad no logro convencerme de los planteamientos en cuanto a política económica de Krugman。 Aunque puedan ser ciertos， me parece que podrían ser utilizados de forma irresponsable en contextos distintos a la realidad norteamericana。 Había leído esporádicamente a Krugman， pero me queda un sinsabor en su tono， muchas veces irrespetuoso y arrogante。 Es decir， uno tiene que ser consecuente。 No se puede pedir mayor respeto y bajar el tono de la conversación política， económica y social， al uso de la razón y la ciencia， si al mismo tiempo se está agrediendo en textos de alta difusión。 El mismo hecho de llamar zombis a la contraparte， lo que suscita el título， es muestra de ello。 。。。more

Joel Collier ，

Disappointing。 I don’t know why， but I expected an answer to Thomas Sowell’s Basic Economics。 What I got were poor arguments why conservatives are either unintelligent marks or scam artists。 My biggest disappointment was the discussion on the increasing cost of healthcare。 Krugman mentions that healthcare is increasing in cost partly because healthcare provides more benefits。 If this is a reason why the public should pick up the tab for the added value， voters need quantification and explanation Disappointing。 I don’t know why， but I expected an answer to Thomas Sowell’s Basic Economics。 What I got were poor arguments why conservatives are either unintelligent marks or scam artists。 My biggest disappointment was the discussion on the increasing cost of healthcare。 Krugman mentions that healthcare is increasing in cost partly because healthcare provides more benefits。 If this is a reason why the public should pick up the tab for the added value， voters need quantification and explanation for what they are paying。 From Arguing with Zombies: next to nothing。 I expect Krugman drank his own cool-aid—if you don’t already agree with the conclusion， he believes you are too dumb or wicked to be reasoned with。I don’t believe the ultra conservative books I’ve read on basic economics are the entire story and my college courses are too theoretical to provide policy guidance。 No guidance from Krugman， however。 。。。more

Salvador Eugenio ，

Desde que lei a Krugman en la universidad me quedo claro que era uno de los autores que debiamos leer todos quienes nos dedicamos o estudiamos al comercio internacional。Tiene la facilidad de explicar cosas complejas de forma sencilla y de una manera que el lector promedio （que no tiene conocimientos de economia） puede entender claramente y relacionarse facilmente。 Es muy claro en sus ideas， y de forma simple refuta las ideas "zombi" que domina la narrativa actual （seguridad social， burbujas fina Desde que lei a Krugman en la universidad me quedo claro que era uno de los autores que debiamos leer todos quienes nos dedicamos o estudiamos al comercio internacional。Tiene la facilidad de explicar cosas complejas de forma sencilla y de una manera que el lector promedio （que no tiene conocimientos de economia） puede entender claramente y relacionarse facilmente。 Es muy claro en sus ideas， y de forma simple refuta las ideas "zombi" que domina la narrativa actual （seguridad social， burbujas financieras， deficits presupuestarios， guerras comerciales， etc。）。 Son pocas las secciones del libro donde se pone "tecnico" o usa conceptos economicos avanzadas。Creo es la primer obra que leo de el donde hace notar su inclinacion politica， y desde la cual critica las politicas gubernamentales y el entorno politico-economico global。La obra esta muy bien organizada por temas， aunque no esta en orden cronologico eso en ningun momento demerita la lectura。 。。。more

Alejandra ，

A relevant and straightforward analysis of the economic myths currently defining US policies。 Subjects as social security， Medicare and climate change are addressed with a clear sight and with the support of actual evidence， and in a manner that makes some seemingly complicated issues easily comprehensible for people without an economic background。 It is important to note Krugman is unafraid to call things by their names， as so many press organisations and pundits like himself currently are。 The A relevant and straightforward analysis of the economic myths currently defining US policies。 Subjects as social security， Medicare and climate change are addressed with a clear sight and with the support of actual evidence， and in a manner that makes some seemingly complicated issues easily comprehensible for people without an economic background。 It is important to note Krugman is unafraid to call things by their names， as so many press organisations and pundits like himself currently are。 There are powerful people lying and extremist groups rising， all which is not only disastrous for the economy， but for the planet itself。 Krugman's book explain the corruption of recent years， and the obvious alternatives that would allow people to have better lives。 。。。more

Keven Wang ，

I am not doubting the intellects of Paul。 But his work should be better consumed in column form

Dana ，

Listening to this collection of articles written over multiple years， I often found it hard to connect the policy critique with the administration。 As such， it would have been a better read as a book。 Still， I enjoyed the analysis。 Krugman is a fantastic writer with sharp wit。

Don Bennie ，

This gives the dismal science the dismal adjective。 Reading past columns dating back up to 20 years was much less intriguing than expected。 I enjoyed having prior knowledge and ideas questioned。 Last chapter is by far the best。 I would not suggest reading the whole book through but rather by sections as they interest。

Sharon Fowler ，

I enjoyed this book， mostly a collection of pieces related to various economic zombies: misunderstandings that won't die。 Like so many things that we hear over and over， i。e。 tax cuts to the rich trickle down， help the economy， and pay for themselves。 Mostly very readable。 A very few pieces are labeled 'wonky。' and I skipped those。 I enjoyed this book， mostly a collection of pieces related to various economic zombies: misunderstandings that won't die。 Like so many things that we hear over and over， i。e。 tax cuts to the rich trickle down， help the economy， and pay for themselves。 Mostly very readable。 A very few pieces are labeled 'wonky。' and I skipped those。 。。。more

Vance Christiaanse ，

Well， that was depressing。 This is a collection， published in 2020， of some of Krugman's writing over the past fifteen years or so。 Even if I assume he selected the pieces where later events proved him correct， it's still impressive that he has been right about so much。 Well， that was depressing。 This is a collection， published in 2020， of some of Krugman's writing over the past fifteen years or so。 Even if I assume he selected the pieces where later events proved him correct， it's still impressive that he has been right about so much。 。。。more

Lorraine Mercer ，

Should be required readingI feel better educated and increases my quest to stay informed。 I am enlightened by the hidden policies and agendas。 This book should be recommended to help us understand political agendas

Kate ，

3。5

John Hopkins ，

One of my favorite commentators disappointed me here。 I hadn't expected this to be simply a collection of his published columns。 I still like his analysis， though。 One of my favorite commentators disappointed me here。 I hadn't expected this to be simply a collection of his published columns。 I still like his analysis， though。 。。。more

David Bradshaw ，

'Increasing Returns and Economic Geography' established his credentials - 'Increasing Returns and Economic Geography' established his credentials - 。。。more

Julien Pigot ，

A delightful surprise！ Krugman is - of course！ - no novice to writing nor a indie cult-sensation， so it is only natural that this book be interesting。 It does， however， come off as a little alarming when you realise that the book is actually an amalgam of his NYT columns rather that a single cohesive book。 Despite this， the masterful selection of articles spanning from the early 1990's until as recent as the year of the book's launch that are bundled by chapter-topics makes for a very smooth and A delightful surprise！ Krugman is - of course！ - no novice to writing nor a indie cult-sensation， so it is only natural that this book be interesting。 It does， however， come off as a little alarming when you realise that the book is actually an amalgam of his NYT columns rather that a single cohesive book。 Despite this， the masterful selection of articles spanning from the early 1990's until as recent as the year of the book's launch that are bundled by chapter-topics makes for a very smooth and ever-enriching read！Krugman's typical savvy and cynicism is in full display without ever going overboard - who in their rightful mind will disagree that the Trump era was one of caricatural grotesqueness that merits more pushback that the administration of a Bill Clinton？ - and， most importantly， he expounds how the field of Economics is mostly dominated by a right-conservative ideological narrative that has little evidence upon which to back itself。A great read for any Economist who recently graduated and must cleans from the narrow-mindedness that dominates the field of the dismal science。 Not a bad read for anyone with some formal training in Economics that would like to think a bit more on the topic。 Probably not a good idea for someone with no understanding of economics - one might get wrong ideas about the author's stance， which is nowhere near state capitalism or the likes。 。。。more

Eleanor ，

DNF。 Read about 30%。 Good。 Just not what I need to read right now。

Cate （Kate） Caruso ，

I was disappointed to find that this was just a collection of Paul Krugman's editorials。 Even though I respect him and his perspective， I'm wary of reading more of the same and was hoping for something different。 I was disappointed to find that this was just a collection of Paul Krugman's editorials。 Even though I respect him and his perspective， I'm wary of reading more of the same and was hoping for something different。 。。。more

Dan Mitnick ，

In a country that has seemed to have gone absolutely bonkers Paul Krugman is a refreshing voice informed reason。 I've read most of these columns as they came out in the past two decades but taken in their entirety though some repetition the sound avoidable they are remarkably thoughtful and sightful and incredibly precient。 His clear prose and well-marshaled logic and just all around good kindness make you believe in tha rationality and good faith are not only possible but sustainable across a r In a country that has seemed to have gone absolutely bonkers Paul Krugman is a refreshing voice informed reason。 I've read most of these columns as they came out in the past two decades but taken in their entirety though some repetition the sound avoidable they are remarkably thoughtful and sightful and incredibly precient。 His clear prose and well-marshaled logic and just all around good kindness make you believe in tha rationality and good faith are not only possible but sustainable across a remarkable career。 Anyone at all who is curious in economics tax policy health care infrastructure and basically the Civic function of the society should be well acquainted with this book and this author。 Just a huge fan of this guy。 。。。more

Ohbabs ，

I listened to this book and felt it was one that genuinely needed to be read。 Parts of it were too deep for me， but I agreed with the author about the state of our economics when factoring in level of personal wealth。 I would recommend this book to others， especially those who feel GOP policy benefits the poor and middle class。 I love the title。

Andrew Ferguson ，

Arguing with Zombies is truly an enthralling and enlightening read for anyone interested in knowing more of the economic and political intricacies affecting the American landscape。 Mr。 Krugman does an amazing job discussing academically challenging topics in a transparent and understandable manner。 This book certainly challenged and changed my outlook on issues of national importance that I would never have grasped before。

Kyle Steinicke ，

This book does a good job of giving an economic insight into today’s political climate。 I found most of Krugman’s arguments for the United States to follow Europe into a more equal society very convincing。 Krugman lays out the facts and then gives his opinion on the best course of action to take from there。 I found it a little hard at times to distinguish where fact ended and opinion began， but for the most part I think he’s got it right。 America has an inequality problem and there are lots of t This book does a good job of giving an economic insight into today’s political climate。 I found most of Krugman’s arguments for the United States to follow Europe into a more equal society very convincing。 Krugman lays out the facts and then gives his opinion on the best course of action to take from there。 I found it a little hard at times to distinguish where fact ended and opinion began， but for the most part I think he’s got it right。 America has an inequality problem and there are lots of things we could do to fix it， but as of late we seem to be going the wrong direction。 。。。more

Jason Edwards ，

You don't need to know much about economics to get something out of Arguing with Zombies: Economics， Politics， and the Fight for a Better Future， but it helps。 Personally， I don't know anything （about anything） but this made me want to actually study the subject。 Like， even take classes in it。 （I know！）Before， I would have told you that economics was maybe the most boring subject that I never took in school。 But Paul Krugman's writing style makes the subject not only readable but entertaining。 A You don't need to know much about economics to get something out of Arguing with Zombies: Economics， Politics， and the Fight for a Better Future， but it helps。 Personally， I don't know anything （about anything） but this made me want to actually study the subject。 Like， even take classes in it。 （I know！）Before， I would have told you that economics was maybe the most boring subject that I never took in school。 But Paul Krugman's writing style makes the subject not only readable but entertaining。 A compilation of essays he's written over the years， for blogs and such， this collection is not only interesting from a 'money' stand-point， but from a recent-history stand-point as well。Of course Krugman most likely picked the more prescient of his oldest columns， but I wouldn't begrudge him that。 He comes across as an expert （he's a Nobel prize winner）， but also humble enough to recognize that economics isn't for everyone， even if policies based on economics do affect everyone。Please note that this is not a book about the sort of behavioral economics like you get in Superfreaks or from Kahneman or Ariely。 This is straight-up macro and micro economics， theory and policy， with a heavy does of politics。 Speaking of politics， Arguing with Zombies is a deep dive into ideas that have been proven to be bad， but just won't die。 Krugman is an unabashed liberal， （or democrat， or left-winger， or whatever word you want）。 If you're a right-winger who can't hear the message for the messenger， this book is just going to make you angry。Which is why you should read it。 。。。more

Ricardo ，

This is a collection of columns and essays by Paul Krugman。 Divided by topics， this is a great way to understand the current political and economic situation in the USA。 As stated in the book， Zombies are those ideas that continue to be held as true， even though evidence has proved once and again that those ideas are false。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0