When a respected academic appears to change his mind about a central tenet of economic policy, one that is almost universally accepted by orthodox economists, he can expect to get some attention. He can expect the people he once agreed with to feel let down and dissenters he once challenged to be thrilled.

Princeton’s Alan Blinder, a former vice-chairman of the Federal Reserve, an esteemed teacher and scholar and the author of an excellent introduction to economics (Hard Heads, Soft Hearts) has changed his mind about liberal trade – kind of. He now finds that it is not always such a good thing. The new Mr Blinder first appeared in an article in Foreign Affairs last year. Since then his position has evolved further, most recently with a column entitled “Free Trade’s Great, but Offshoring Rattles Me” in The Washington Post last weekend. Mr Blinder says he is shocked, shocked, by the vigorous reaction he has aroused. He is being accused of apostasy. “Who, me? What did I say?” he asks.