Models are used for prediction in all sorts of domains. Each of us has a mental model (or “theory of mind”) of how others behave to a significant degree of accuracy. Economics often covers situations well outside the range of the evolutionary adaptive era for which our intuitive mental models don’t work as well. If modeling were truly useless, it wouldn’t matter if it was used “for the purpose of control” because it wouldn’t get you anywhere.
I wish Matthew Mueller’s Post-Austrian Economics blog was still up, because he made a good point about the unfortunate entanglement of austrian economics with political libertarianism since Rothbard. This results in some of its adherents viewing people who think their method is flawed as political enemies. For the record, I still read sites like mises.org & Lew Rockwell (though to a lesser extent recently due to all the competing distractions on the internet and my banning from the comments section of the former) and appreciate the work they do in bringing economics to a wider audience even if they can exhibit the flaws they point out in Rand’s circle.
There is a difference between modeling and manipulating.
To model, is to create a framework that describes something.
To manipulate is to choose one or more elements among the known attributes of the model which can be controlled and then use that to coercively accomplish goals; then set the model up to “show good things are happening” based on the all wise management of the modeled system by the managers.
You note “a significant degree of accuracy”. The point is that the degree of accuracy that can be attained is insufficient for the purpose.
Models are used for prediction in all sorts of domains. Each of us has a mental model (or “theory of mind”) of how others behave to a significant degree of accuracy. Economics often covers situations well outside the range of the evolutionary adaptive era for which our intuitive mental models don’t work as well. If modeling were truly useless, it wouldn’t matter if it was used “for the purpose of control” because it wouldn’t get you anywhere.
I wish Matthew Mueller’s Post-Austrian Economics blog was still up, because he made a good point about the unfortunate entanglement of austrian economics with political libertarianism since Rothbard. This results in some of its adherents viewing people who think their method is flawed as political enemies. For the record, I still read sites like mises.org & Lew Rockwell (though to a lesser extent recently due to all the competing distractions on the internet and my banning from the comments section of the former) and appreciate the work they do in bringing economics to a wider audience even if they can exhibit the flaws they point out in Rand’s circle.
Thanks for your remarks teageegeepea.
There is a difference between modeling and manipulating.
To model, is to create a framework that describes something.
To manipulate is to choose one or more elements among the known attributes of the model which can be controlled and then use that to coercively accomplish goals; then set the model up to “show good things are happening” based on the all wise management of the modeled system by the managers.
You note “a significant degree of accuracy”. The point is that the degree of accuracy that can be attained is insufficient for the purpose.