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I don't think they were claiming that academics are responsible for politicians behavior, rather that politicians often use academic work with little to no understanding of it and/or as an excuse to give their predetermined conclusion (increase spending) "expert backing."

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This is correct. Economic theories are merely one of a portfolio of reasons to spend lots of money, and not anywhere near the most important ones.

Though I would submit that they do have some pretty significant impacts in a couple of particular places, at the Treasury and the Fed. In Congress, of course, it's probably all but irrelevant except as which fig leaf some more sophisticated ones may reach for.

If I handed a lit match to a toddler, I’d consider myself responsible for what happened next.

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