Paul Krugman on Bernie Sanders
TL;DR
Paul Krugman supports the policies Bernie Sanders advocates but criticizes his self-identification as a socialist.
Key Points
He argued that many of the senator's policies align with European social democracy, not traditional socialism involving central planning or nationalization.
In 2016, he expressed concern that the self-description as a socialist would be a gift to the Trump campaign if Sanders won the nomination.
The economist acknowledged the wisdom in the senator's push for popular programs like Medicare for All but favored a public option as a more politically achievable path to universal coverage.
Summary
Paul Krugman expressed support for many of the policies championed by Bernie Sanders, viewing them as aligning with what Europeans would term social democracy, such as universal healthcare and a strong social safety net. The Nobel laureate’s primary criticism centered on Sanders’s persistent use of the label "socialist," arguing that this description was unnecessary self-indulgence that needlessly gave Republicans ammunition to mischaracterize his platform as extreme, akin to Stalinism, rather than focusing on achievable democratic reforms.
He contended that while he agreed with the substance of Sanders’s goals, the political calculus required appealing to a broader electorate, suggesting that a public option or other less radical-sounding proposals were more politically viable routes to universal coverage. Krugman acknowledged that if Sanders became the nominee, he would support him and argue that he meant social democracy, not the Republican caricature, but he wished the candidate had avoided that divisive terminology from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul Krugman is largely supportive of the progressive policies advocated by Bernie Sanders, seeing them as aligned with successful social democratic models abroad. However, he has consistently criticized the senator for adopting the 'socialist' label, which he felt gave political opponents an easy target.
Krugman did not appear to fully endorse Sanders's primary run, primarily due to concerns over electability and the political difficulty of implementing his most ambitious proposals, like abolishing private health insurance. He stated that if Sanders won the nomination, he would support him against the Republican alternative.
The Nobel laureate felt the term 'socialist' was unnecessarily provocative in the American context and would be exploited by Republicans to scare voters away from popular policies like universal healthcare. He believed the senator should use terms like 'social democrat' to describe his agenda accurately.
Sources4
Paul Krugman explains his criticism of Bernie Sanders | 92nd Street Y
Opinion | Paul Krugman on This Bernie Sanders and Socialism Thing
Paul Krugman and Richard Wolff on Bernie Sanders's Democratic Socialism | Truthout
Paul Krugman, Bernie Sanders, and the Fed – CEPR
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.