Economist Daniel Stähr Critiques Economics as a 'Fact-Free Science' in New Book

Economist Daniel Stähr has released a critical book in 2024, 'Die neuen Propheten,' targeting his own profession for fostering crises and wielding undue influence. He argues that economics operates as a fact-free discipline devoid of moral or justice frameworks, with established economists becoming opinion leaders in power centers, particularly in Germany, the USA, and Great Britain. Stähr previously co-authored 'Die Sprache des Kapitalismus' with Simon Sahner, analyzing how terms like 'reform' and phrases such as the 'Schwäbischen Hausfrau' legitimize decisions that exacerbate social inequality. His latest work presents an overdue intervention from within the field, dissecting the mechanisms that elevate economists to authoritative positions. Stähr contends that political decision-makers rely on this amoral science, a core thesis of his book. The critique emerges as a call to end the dominance of economics, highlighting its role in shaping policies that deepen societal divides.