James Bradford DeLong, often called Brad DeLong, is the kind of economist whose controversial takes often leave a conservative scratching their head and asking, "Really?" Born in the bustling decade of the 1960s, DeLong has spent his career swimming in the seas of economic ideas, residing mostly in the leftist waters. He teaches at the University of California, Berkeley, a notorious hub for liberal thinking, and has written extensively about his version of utopia—that is, one largely composed of government intervention and expanded welfare states.
DeLong doesn't shy away from talking about the "big government" approach. His career timeline showcases a trajectory that began under the wing of left-leaning thinkers and has continued to stir the pot of economic thought. The difference between DeLong and your average economist isn't just in the complex equations he writes, it’s in his willingness to vocally champion policies that would make small-government advocates run for cover.
Imagine an economist who not only argues for large government but does so with the enthusiasm of a sports fan cheering for their team. DeLong isn’t just theorizing; he’s practically campaigning. His academic postings, from Harvard to MIT before settling at UC Berkeley, have been stepping stones in building a career centered on expansive fiscal policies. DeLong’s contributions extend into the realm of New Keynesian economics, a field that typically advocates for government intervention—a sentiment that most conservatives shy away from.
He's not just a talking head. DeLong was once the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy under the Clinton administration. Here, he got his hands dirty crafting policies during the 1990s, an era that saw plenty of economic growth but also significant policy debates. Known for advocating stronger government roles, DeLong had a real platform and a real opportunity to influence American policy.
Reading DeLong’s numerous articles and blog posts is like reading a manifesto of government control. The man doesn’t flinch at the thought of sweeping healthcare reforms or large-scale government projects. While conservatives value personal responsibility and minimal government interference, figures like DeLong are undeterred proponents of extensive reforms funded and managed by big government.
DeLong also spins yarns about global economic development. His stance on free trade agreements often drifts towards inclusivity and global cooperation, elements that have stirred the pot for those believing in national interest as a priority. DeLong envisions trade as a massive, harmonious beast, while every realist understands it's more akin to a cage fight, where nations punch and jab to maintain supremacy.
But what really makes DeLong an interesting case study is his unapologetic embrace of his beliefs. He doesn't waver; this is a man who doesn’t seem to factor in the disagreements of others, unless to steamroll over them. He's the kind of academic who casts wide critiques, sometimes with the subtlety of a brick through a window.
In blogs and debates, DeLong’s voice rings with what he considers rational thought. He blogs with a frequency that can rival a blink—and with views that always hint at government's paramount role. His outlook on capitalism is equally blinkered; while acknowledging its role, he's quick to remind anyone listening that unchecked capitalism is a boogeyman lurking to snatch prosperity away from everyone else.
One of the more controversial aspects of DeLong’s career is his take on the Great Recession of 2008. He argues it was a failure of economic policy from prior years and that the solution was more government action. This is a dramatic contrast to market-oriented strategies favored by conservatives, who saw the recession as a culmination of policy missteps, not market failure. DeLong’s rewrites history in a way that frames more control as the hero, demanding that capitalism take a back seat.
DeLong's record speaks volumes about a consistent theme: government, government, and more government. His work, especially his prolific writing, acts as an echo chamber primed for those with a taste for policies that might leave a conservative feeling cold. It’s the kind of argument that plays well in the echo chambers of Berkeley, but carries about as much weight as a helium balloon elsewhere.
Whether he's dissecting global economics or diving into historical policy decisions, DeLong operates with a singular viewpoint: that the answer lies with the state. His steadfast focus on government intervention, while stirring the hearts of policy wonks at his alma mater, leaves practical thinkers wondering which reality he’s anchored in. It’s telling that a choice phrase from this economist might be more at home on a rally poster than in a thoughtful discourse.
In the end, James Bradford DeLong is a testament to academia’s love for government solutions and its shaky grasp on the more free-market-oriented nuances of conservative thought. The conversations he sparks are surely as debated as ever, but as for this economist, the solutions always seem to wind back around to his comfort zone: trusting more, not less, in the hands of the government.