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The tone of the phrase “almighty discipline” suggests mild sarcasm regarding economics' earlier dominance and self-containment. The statement reflects a shift in economics from being insular and self-assured to being more open to interdisciplinary borrowing. The author describes earlier economists, like Gary Becker, as imperialistic and unwilling to incorporate ideas from other disciplines. In contrast, contemporary economists like Thomas Piketty are portrayed as reaching out and collaborating.
Option b: The passage mentions that economists are now collaborating with other disciplines, but it does not suggest this is due to their inability to predict market behaviour. The focus is on how the discipline has shifted over time, not any predictive failures.
Option c: The author does not criticize economic tools for managing crises or say that economics as a discipline has fallen. The passage highlights a transformation toward openness, not a downfall.
Option d: The author is not critical of economists collaborating with other disciplines. Instead, the passage presents this shift as a positive change, contrasting it with the earlier insularity of the discipline.
Hence, option a is the correct answer.