For far too long economists have sought to define themselves in terms of their supposedly scientific methods. In fact, those methods rely on an immoderate use of mathematical models, which are frequently no more than an excuse for occupying the terrain and masking the vacuity of the content.

Over a long period of time, the main force in favor of greater equality has been the diffusion of knowledge and skills.

Indeed, the distribution of wealth is too important an issue to be left to economists, sociologists, historians, and philosophers.

I loved American universities. In many ways, they are better organized - certainly than French universities.

We know too little about global wealth dynamics, so we need international transmission of bank information.

Our modern democratic ideal is based on the hope that inequalities will be based on merit more than inheritance or luck.

Democracy will never be supplanted by a republic of experts—and that is a very good thing.