It is difficult for economists to make predictions when ideology takes precedence over good economic sense

Ideology has taken precedence over good economic sense on many occasions recently: Brexit, despite the United Kingdom’s economic integration in the European Union; Hungary’s and Poland’s anti-European stance, despite the major benefits they gain from their EU membership; Protectionism, despite its costs in terms of growth for the countries that implement it; The economic policy proposals made by the new coalition in Italy, despite their unrealistic character and their divergence from Italy’s real problems. It is difficult for economists to predict the future if governments give preference to ideology over good economic sense.