The Nobel prize family disociates itself from the economics prize

[malaise]

about time they realize that the capitalist economic model is not the only model on the planet.

http://rwer.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/the-nobel-family-dissociates-itself-from-the-economics-prize/
<snip>
On October 11th Peter Nobel, a lawyer and descendent of Alfred Nobel, issued a statement dissociating the Nobel family from the so called Nobel prize in economics. Below is my translation of Nobel’s statement.

The Economics Prize in memory of Alfred Nobel should be criticised on two grounds. First, it is a deceptive utilisation of the institution of the Nobel Prize and what it represents. Second, the economics prize is biased, in the sense that it one-sidedly rewards Western economic research and theory.

Alfred Nobel’s testament was not a hasty piece of work. It was a carefully thought out document. Also, Alfred Nobel’s letters suggest that he disliked economists.

The proposal of a Riksbank prize “in memory of Alfred Nobel” was discussed by the Nobel Foundation on April 26, 1968. Professor Sten Friberg, rector of the Karolinska Institute, opposed the idea. The Nobel committee of the Norwegian parliament expressed serious misgivings. But a rapid decision was expected, apparently under pressure. Why? Riksbanken’s chief Per Åsbrink had close contacts within the government, and for the Nobel Foundation it was vitally important to conserve its tax privileges.

[hfojvt]

1. so a lawyer thinks he's better than economists?

Schumacher almost got a nobel for his book including the chapter on "Buddhist economics" but Gunnar Myrdal decided to give the award to himself instead.

[provis99]

2. the Nobel Peace Prize is an even bigger joke.

ever since Kissinger won the Peace Prize.

[xchrom]

3. Good and historically appropriate. Nt