Manmohan Singh Quotes

Macroeconomic policy can never be devoid of politics: it involves fundamental trade-offs and affects different groups differently.

We cannot separate politics from economics.

Policy and politics are always mixed up.

Politics is economics in action.

The division of responsibility between economics and politics is indeed one of the most difficult dilemmas with which we are confronted. "Give me a sound economic position, and I will pursue a sound policy", says the Statesman. "How can I pursue a sound policy", says the Economist, "if you do not give me a sound political position?”

In 10 years, ... you're going to see the most valuable economy in the world -- the largest economy in the world -- is going to be a country run by communists. The Chinese seem to be very good at capitalism. And this is going to have fundamental problems and present an identity crisis for the United States. Because for a long time, free markets coincided with liberties such as free speech, free press, free religion. And all of a sudden, this equation is going to be decoupled. And when it gets decoupled, we might find that democracy, the multitude of voices, actually impedes capitalism because a state that does not have any pretense of limited government can very quickly mandate a regulatory framework for drones, for electric cars, for self-driving cars, for any new innovation where they feel that they can leapfrog Western societies. And this is a very unique thing in the American experience. And this is why it's very important to think of American capitalism as an operating system and not as an ideology. Because when you think about it as an ideology, you can have good politics make for very, very bad policy. That market outcomes and democratic voices and battles for votes can end up stifling progress.

The shape and composition of the government is important. We haven't reached a point where politics and economics have been totally divorced from each other.

The problem is that once we focus on economic policy, much that is not science comes into play. Politics becomes involved, and political posturing is amply rewarded by public attention.

Leadership is important in politics.

Everybody has to remember that economics is very tied to politics.

Policy is driven by more than politics, however. It is equally driven by ideas.

Good economics is good politics.

Politics, as any observer of the modern world knows, is the enemy of economics, everywhere and always.

The challenge has been, we make policy in the world of politics.

Politics is the science of urgencies.

Good ideas are the backbone of good government.

Politics and power is a realm of relative influence.

I think I can regard myself as a political decision-maker.

You have to spend your political capital on great causes for your country.

The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.

Economics, politics, and personalities are often inseparable.

Every policy is shaped by two forces: background analysis and foreground politics. The political forces are loud, self-serving and, in the case of energy policy, well known.

I don't imagine Heads of Government would ever be able to say I'm not an economist therefore I can't take decisions on matters of the economy; I'm not a soldier I can't take decisions on matters of defence; I'm not an educationist so I can't take decisions about education.

I was criticized at some level within the Republican Party by those who say government should not be in the economic development business at all. My response is that the only country I know that doesn't have an economic development plan is Papa New Guinea.

I believe all universities should at least offer courses in politics and policy implementation.