As econonomic documentaries go, this was one of the best I've seen in the UK. Once people recognise that it was deliberately polemic, serving to balance out existing biases in the mainstream media (as opposed to provide a grounded, impartial account), I think it should be added as a staple of economics courses up and down the country.
In terms of improving economic literacy through the use of metaphors I think it was highly effective - even The Guardian commentator conceded that "it brought the economic theory brilliantly to life". Using a running bath to show that there's still more public debt being added than is being removed through Osbourne's "cuts" was excellent. Showing an ailing patient and trying to remove blood from one arm only to pump it into another (spilling some on the way) was useful. I even thought the lobbying children - driving home the point that the debt burden is a future taxation and therefore deeply undemocratic, was effective. And indeed exposing politicians for not knowing the difference between the budget deficit and the public debt, was hilarious (and tragic).
Of course there were problems. The interviews with Brendan Barber and Alistair Darling came across more as Ali G style stich ups than revelations. I'm not convinced that public sector spending is now larger than the private sector, and I think a fair rejoinder would be to at least acknowledge that Labour's public spending record might make the debt burdon easier to pay. Debt isn't a problem in and of itself - it depends on what you are using it to fund. If it's comsumption (as much of it undoubtedly was) then indeed you have a problem. If it's investment, then that's part and parcel of economic growth. When Durkin showed how the salaries of front line services are a small fraction of overall spending, he might have pointed out that it is because so much of Labours's spending splurge went on salaries rather than capital investment that we will struggle to pay it off.
And of course it featured Kelvin McKenzie. And for that reason alone critics have a fair criticism.
Hello Webmaster,
I am a webmaster of Filter related websites; I've found your website (http://thefilter.blogs.com/ ) suitable to that of our visitors. Please give us a quote for a site-wide link on your esteemed website for a period of 6months/1 year. We’ll make the payment via PayPal to the PayPal id provided by you.
Regards,
Nagendra singh
Email:-linknagendra@gmail.com
Skype :nagendra.link
Posted by: nagendra | April 28, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Support. Come on! Everything will be ok.
Posted by: Nike Shox | May 26, 2011 at 01:14 AM
It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.
Posted by: MBT Shoes | July 14, 2011 at 10:54 AM
No matter how many times I read it, it never gets old. You definitely hit the nail on the head on this one. This is something people need to know about.
Posted by: UGGs On Sale | August 08, 2011 at 04:34 AM
Awesome post, I’m a big believer in placing comments on forums to help the blog editors know that they have created something of worth to the internet!
Posted by: Jade sale | August 31, 2011 at 03:20 AM
What a fun pattern! It’s great to hear from you and see what you’ve sent up to. All of the projects look great! You make it so simple to this. Thanks
Posted by: abercrombie france | November 23, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Very cool article.
Posted by: Retro Jordans | November 26, 2011 at 03:02 AM
http://www.coachfactoryoutletstoreonlinez.net
Posted by: 402300572 | December 03, 2011 at 03:29 AM
There must be something in domestic US policy I'm not aware of, or he is talking about some libertarianism which is not the libertarianism I'm used to.
Posted by: Timberland Boots | December 09, 2011 at 05:46 AM
There is always one true inner voice. Trust it. Sometimes it’s hard to know who you are and what you want and whom you likeand why you like that person.The answers change because you’re changing.
Posted by: Beijing Kungfu show | December 23, 2011 at 03:33 AM