The first part of this discussion is in many senses homage to Naomi Klein and her book The Shock Doctrine. I spent the weekend reading the book and this impelled me to formulate some of my ideas on the question of ideology and economic theory. The second part of the diary is an examination of a clear instance of the influence of ideology or political apologetics on economic theory and policy.
I want to apologise for missing last thursday's normal appointment and for publishing this diary so late. My husband sprang a surprise holiday for my birthday and I was not able to publish the diary and attend it.
One more point, much to my pleasure I find that something the dog said has written a diary on ideology, economics and politics, addressing the same point from another angle and permission has been granted to put up the link: