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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Paul Krugman Accused of Plagiarism

In an open letter to Paul Krugman, UCLA economics professor Roger Farmer alleges that Krugman stole his ideas and repackaged them in his New York Times columns.

"Perhaps you have read some of my recent work: Perhaps not. I infer that you may be aware of it since your columns often select themes that closely mirror my writings, usually a day or two after they are circulated. Perhaps that is due to the coincidence fairy," writes Farmer.

Farmer says his accusations are not personal and that he likes Krugman's works and shares many of his Keynesian economic views. However, Krugman's failure to cite the professor's work was a "step too far," writes Farmer.

The plagiarism charges were so serious that Krugman felt compelled to address them in a curiously worded New York Times blog posting.

"A somewhat belated response to Roger Farmer, who accused me of cribbing from his writings. The truth is sadder; I haven't read any of his stuff," Krugman begins.

Then, in the next sentence, Krugman appeared to contradict himself by conceding that he was, in fact, familiar with Farmer's writings and had read them.

New York Times editors have not commented on whether any internal investigation into the plagiarism allegation is underway.  (Full Story)

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