However, I have a low opinion of people with narrow political horizons. Someone who talks about the environment and knows nothing about economics can make as many mistakes as someone who does the opposite.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I don't think exactly like a professional economist. I think about economics and economic ideas, but somewhat like an outsider.
I'm an economist, not a political scientist.
A lot of my colleagues have been people with broad interests in economics, not just narrowly focused interests.
There isn't much political coloration in my economic writing; it's not surprising that few people know my political views. They really aren't very important.
I don't think you should go into politics until you can stand on your own two feet economically, if possible, and you know enough about the world.
I am a profound pessimist both about life and about human relations and about politics and ecology. Humans are inadequate and stupid creatures who sooner or later make a mess, and those who are trying to do good do a lot more damage than those who are muddling along.
I don't imagine Heads of Government would ever be able to say I'm not an economist therefore I can't take decisions on matters of the economy; I'm not a soldier I can't take decisions on matters of defence; I'm not an educationist so I can't take decisions about education.
People who run environmental groups and things like that, who have to listen to all kinds of nonsense and keep their tempers, are very diplomatic and very inclusive.
I'm in politics, but I'm not an expert in politics.
I think politics today is all about false choices: You can have a robust energy economy and a challenged environment, or a great environment and no economy. That's a false choice. You can do both.