Homo economicus is a caricature of the serious economist’s idea of man. As Keynes’ famous maxim goes, “Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist” — let’s say slaves to their understanding of an economic theory that was called all the rage yesterday. Thus in the view of Russia’s policy-makers, we are myopic and egotistic economic creatures. Accordingly, it’s just personal biases and plain old hatred that motivates my immigration skepticism.
In the real world, I am close to certain that the work ethics of Central Asians cleaning Moscow streets is far superior to mine. But do you know what often happens to pampered, painfully loved children of humble hardworking parents? Right, they grow up spoilt and lazy. Plus, the ethnic/racial factor will make them likely fodder for “anti-discrimination” propaganda.