The Manichaean character of economics. Charles Kindleberger.
             Abstract: Economics is said to have adopted a certain degree of dualism. None of its
             tenets have been absolute in terms of social effectivity. To survive in an economic
             system, rules must be enforced to ensure the peace. There are times when pluralism is
             good for a society as a way recognizing social differences. However, there are times,
             such as war, when the rule of a central authority is preferred. Laws in economics are
             hardly permanent since such regulations are enacted and enforced only when the need
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             Are there any absolute answers in economics? This international trade economist and
             economic historian has his doubts. The answer to most questions is "It depends."
             Manichaeus, as we all know from the Oxford dictionary; was a Persian philosopher of
             the third century A.D., whose system held some sway throughout the Roman empire
             and Asia until the fifth century (with some elements lasting to the thirteenth). He
             believed in dualism, the coexistence of good and evil, with Satan coequal with God. I
             suggest that economics has a heavy dose of dualism, though I hesitate to characterize
             views that differ from mine as evil or satanic.
             In the first edition of Economics: An Introductory Analysis the only one I read when I
             was teaching the introductory course - Paul Samuelson wrote that when one is offered
             a choice, it is not legitimate to say "...