The Economics of the Colonial Cringe, about The Economist magazine
The Economics of the Colonial Cringe, about The Economist magazine
This article critiques The Economist magazine, arguing that its perceived authority and "cleverness" among American professionals stem from a "colonial cringe"—a cultural snobbery rather than objective quality. The author, James Fallows, highlights how The Economist's editorial stance often contradicts its own news reporting, particularly regarding Japan's economic policies and the efficacy of market forces versus government intervention. He suggests that Americans' reverence for The Economist is rooted in a desire to associate with an imagined superior English intellect, leading to an uncritical acceptance of its content and a perpetuation of a subtle form of cultural subservience.
Note
I enjoyed the inserted updates 15 years later.
Published
1991
Summary
This article critiques The Economist magazine, arguing that its perceived authority and "cleverness" among American professionals stem from a "colonial cringe"—a cultural snobbery rather than objective quality. The author, James Fallows, highlights how The Economist's editorial stance often contradicts its own news reporting, particularly regarding Japan's economic policies and the efficacy of market forces versus government intervention. He suggests that Americans' reverence for The Economist is rooted in a desire to associate with an imagined superior English intellect, leading to an uncritical acceptance of its content and a perpetuation of a subtle form of cultural subservience.
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