The Politics of Pseudo-Scientific Economic Argumentation: A Rhetorical Analysis of the Rise of Austerity Economics

摘要

This dissertation traces the rise of austerity economics through three different economic policy debates in 2011: The Path to Prosperity budget, raising the debt ceiling and budget sequestration. By examining the same controversies in both public argument and among expert economists on public blogs, the warping of scientific consensus into public controversy is documented. Finally, the success of austerity arguments are viewed from the theory of dramatism.